Inquiry into Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess to start

It will also hear about Operation Verbasco, the police investigation into the Novichok incident.

Due to national security, the public feed of the hearings will be on a short delay – and some evidence will be heard in private.

The UK authorities blame the Russian state for the use of the chemical weapon, believing Russian agents were behind the original incident and then discarded the perfume bottle.

It was later found by Ms Sturgess’s partner Charlie Rowley – both thought it was designer perfume.

Mr Rowley was taken ill at the same time as Ms Sturgess, but he later recovered.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement and the Russian embassy has described the public inquiry as a “circus”.

Public hearings are due to conclude in the first week of December, before a final report is published in 2025.