They did not even affirm that it was novichok.
The Dr at Salisbury hospital reported that they did not treat anyone for organophosphate poisoning.
“” “” The Dr at Salisbury hospital reported that they did not treat anyone for organophosphate poisoning.”” “”
https://www.google.ru/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/05/salisbury-hospital-police-fire-crews-attend-major-incident
‘Major incident’ after two people exposed to substance in Wiltshire
Pair in critical condition at Salisbury hospital, with FENTANTYL suspected to be involved.
That was the story until the government took over the narrative.
Yes they did. The head of Porton Down, Gary Aitkenhead, says it was definitely novichok, but that his lab was unable to identify the origin of the stuff, that positively identifying the agent is only part of establishing its origin, and that it's up to the government to fill in the rest of the puzzle: