A price worth paying

Two more people poisoned by Novichok in the Salisbury area. It seems highly likely that the couple had handled the container used to transport the nerve agent used in the original attack. Let's face it, you would not take it home with you even if it did appear to be empty, would you?

I know the above possible explanation does seem pretty obvious, but yesterday a friend said to me that he had hatched a theory that the attacks were carried out by a mentally deranged worker at Porton Down. I am sure he would get the backing of Russia for this explanation, but Porton Down might not be so quick to accept it. "Oh yes - why didn't we think of that?"

Also, Russia is currently basking in previously unheard of levels of international goodwill (I think it has something to do with football), so would hardly be likely to attack a seemingly innocent British couple with deadly nerve poison just for the hell of it.

Poor old Salisbury. Just when they thought they had got over the worst of it, more city centre areas are cordoned off until they find the vessel which was chucked away by the original attempted murderers, and they don't even know what it looks like.

I would train a police sniffer dog with something which smelled like Novichok but lacked the vital ingredient, then send it into the suspect areas (Drop it...). It may cost the dog's life, but would save a lot of bother in the long run. The question is, how do you find out what Novichok smells like without killing yourself?

They may have to sacrifice a French Parfumier as well as a dog.