The Salisbury Poisonings | The Journalist Who Knew Too Much

June 25, 2025·34 min·3 clips

What did Luke Harding uncover about Russia that led to his expulsion as a Moscow correspondent?

This episode of British Scandal examines the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, featuring guest Luke Harding. Hosts Alice Levine and Matt Ford frame the scandal as both a human tragedy and a geopolitical absurdity. Harding is a former Guardian Moscow correspondent who was expelled from Russia in 2011. The discussion covers the murder of Dawn Sturgess and the attempted murder of Sergei and Yulia Skripal with a Novichok nerve agent. It references the Russian operatives who appeared on television and the online fandom for Salisbury Cathedral's spire. Vladimir Putin's accusation that the attack was a British false flag operation is noted. The hosts connect the event to the earlier Litvinenko poisoning, which Harding previously investigated. They question whether Salisbury served as a necessary turning point in the West's relationship with Russia. Harding's expulsion is cited as evidence of the Kremlin's response to critical reporting. His experience reporting on Putin's Russia over four years provides a foundation for his analysis. A key insight is the stark human cost placed on innocent bystanders like Dawn Sturgess. The episode highlights the bizarre contrast between the lethal attack and the operatives' clumsy public appearances. It suggests the scandal contains elements of both chilling reality and dark farce. The ongoing relevance of UK-Russia relations is a central theme. Harding's first-hand expulsion adds a personal dimension to the discussion of state tactics. The episode questions whether the attack fundamentally changed Western policy approaches. The tone is conversational and investigative, blending narrative storytelling with geopolitical analysis. The style is reflective, examining both the emotional impact and the broader political implications. Listeners interested in modern espionage, UK-Russia relations, and real-life political thrillers would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a light-hearted scandal or one with a resolved conclusion might find it less engaging.

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