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Novichok: Victim Dawn Sturgess' funeral takes place Novichok: Victim Dawn Sturgess' funeral takes place
(35 minutes later)
The funeral of Dawn Sturgess, who died from exposure to the nerve agent Novichok, has taken place in Salisbury.The funeral of Dawn Sturgess, who died from exposure to the nerve agent Novichok, has taken place in Salisbury.
Safety measures to protect mourners were in place for the ceremony, but Public Health England reiterated its advice that risk to the public was low. Over 100 people attended the ceremony at Salisbury Crematorium, including her partner Charlie Rowley, who had also been exposed to the nerve agent.
The Rev Philip Bromiley, who was officiating the service, said PHE advised the funeral directors. The Rev Philip Bromiley, who was officiating the service, said Public Health England had advised the funeral directors ahead of the ceremony.
He added that there were no pallbearers and the coffin would be in situ before mourners arrived. But PHE reiterated its advice that risk to the public was low.
PHE would not comment further on the private cremation. Earlier reports that there would be no pallbearers were incorrect, and Ms Sturgess' coffin was carried into the crematorium - PHE would not comment further on the private cremation.
Ms Sturgess, 44, died on 8 July after she and her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, were exposed to Novichok the week before in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Ms Sturgess, 44, died on 8 July after she and Mr Rowley, 45, were exposed to Novichok the week before in Amesbury, Wiltshire.
Speaking before the funeral, Mr Bromiley said he believed many friends and relatives of the mother-of-three were expected - including Mr Rowley, who was discharged from hospital on 20 July. Mr Bromiley said it was a "very emotional service", with a lot of people in shock by what had happened.
"The message I received is that there are certain measures in place to make sure the service will be as safe as possible," he said. He told the BBC that Mr Rowley was sat on the front row throughout and Ms Sturgess' sister, Claire, delivered her eulogy.
He added: "The service will be a celebration of Dawn's life, giving thanks for the really loving and giving person she was. Ms Sturgess' 11-year-old daughter also read to the mourners and received a round of applause.
"The theme will be peace - peace for her family, for her friends and the city of Salisbury and the surrounding towns and villages affected by the chaotic last few months." High by James Blunt was played at the start of the service, and it ended with the title song from the musical Fame.
Speaking after the funeral, Mr Bromiley said: "I think there was a lot of shock, but there were moments of laughter and moments of being able to remember who Dawn really was.
"Dawn won't be defined by being a story in a tragic set of circumstances.
"She was a mum and she was a person, and it was that person we commended to God today."
He said the theme of the funeral was peace, adding: "Peace for her family, for her friends and the city of Salisbury and the surrounding towns and villages affected by the chaotic last few months."
The chief constable of Wiltshire Police, Kier Pritchard, also said he would be attending, along with deputy chief constable Paul Mills and the police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire, Angus Macpherson.The chief constable of Wiltshire Police, Kier Pritchard, also said he would be attending, along with deputy chief constable Paul Mills and the police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire, Angus Macpherson.
The poisoning of Mr Rowley and Ms Sturgess came four months after the case of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.The poisoning of Mr Rowley and Ms Sturgess came four months after the case of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
The Skripals were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March after coming into contact with Novichok. They have since been discharged from hospital.The Skripals were found unconscious on a park bench in Salisbury in March after coming into contact with Novichok. They have since been discharged from hospital.
Ms Sturgess lived in Salisbury, and the couple had been in the city before going to Mr Rowley's flat in nearby Amesbury on 29 June.Ms Sturgess lived in Salisbury, and the couple had been in the city before going to Mr Rowley's flat in nearby Amesbury on 29 June.
They collapsed after exposure to the nerve agent at his house on 30 June.They collapsed after exposure to the nerve agent at his house on 30 June.
A murder inquiry was launched after Ms Sturgess' death.A murder inquiry was launched after Ms Sturgess' death.
Mr Rowley told ITV News he had earlier found a sealed bottle of perfume and gave it to his partner, who sprayed the substance on her wrists.Mr Rowley told ITV News he had earlier found a sealed bottle of perfume and gave it to his partner, who sprayed the substance on her wrists.
Police refused to confirm Mr Rowley's claim but had previously said the substance was found in a "small bottle".Police refused to confirm Mr Rowley's claim but had previously said the substance was found in a "small bottle".
The UK government has blamed Russia for the attack on the pair in March, but the country's authorities deny any involvement.The UK government has blamed Russia for the attack on the pair in March, but the country's authorities deny any involvement.