Russian flag unfurled on scaffolding at Salisbury cathedral, as locals condemn 'disrespectful' act

Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess. Photo / Wiltshire Police

A Russian flag has been unfurled on scaffolding at Salisbury Cathedral, sparking condemnation among locals in the city that was at the centre of last year's nerve agent attack.

The flag was taken down after cathedral staff were made aware of it.

It's understood it was put there by someone climbing the scaffolding around the cathedral at the weekend.

Salisbury's MP John Glen tweeted: "What a stupid stunt - mocking the serious events sadly experienced in Salisbury last year."

March 4 will mark the one year anniversary of the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal, 67, when he and his daughter Yulia, 33, were discovered collapsed on a park bench in the city centre.

Salisbury police officer DS Nick Bailey was also left seriously ill after coming into contact with it at the Skripal's house.

Four months after that, in July 2018, Dawn Sturgess died after spraying the substance onto her skin, believing it to be perfume.

Her partner, Charlie Rowley, had found a bottle containing novichok in a bin and given it to Dawn. He was also hospitalised after the exposure, but has since recovered.

Two men identified as suspects for carrying out the attack, Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, went on Russian state-funded TV in September last year to claim they had only travelled to Salisbury as tourists, to visit its famous cathedral.

Wiltshire Police are aware of the situation.

Salisbury Cathedral was completed in 1258 and has the tallest spire in England - which measures 123m.

"After everything this city has gone through it does not need this."

Locals unhappy as huge Russian flag unfurled on Salisbury cathedral https://t.co/HfNSq10HUO pic.twitter.com/x5brajCXM7

— ITV News (@itvnews) February 17, 2019