UK Inquiry says it's Putin's fault! Really? Let's discuss the finding on The Protagonists.

UK Inquiry Leaves Skripalgate Open.

The final report into the death of Dawn Sturgess, a woman poisoned after being exposed to the Russian nerve agent Novichok has been published. Dawn Sturgess, a mum of three, died in Salisbury District Hospital in July 2018. An inquiry into her death heard seven weeks of evidence - sometimes behind closed doors for national security reasons.

The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry's terms of reference were to investigate the circumstances of her death from Novichok poisoning in Salisbury in 2018; uncover the facts surrounding her death, examine the UK government's response and public health advice after the Skripal poisoning, and determine whether mistakes by the government contributed to her death. It also explored potential links between the Sturgess and Skripal poisonings, the source of the Novichok, and Russian state involvement,

The inquiry found Russian President Vladimir Putin bears "moral responsibility" for the poisoning death of Dawn Sturgess. The government has summoned the Russian ambassador to demand a response to the inquiry's findings. The UK has announced new sanctions against Russia, including the entire GRU military intelligence agency, following the release of the report.

Mike Ryan HOST.

GUESTS:

Tim Norman, Journalist

Tim Norman is a journalist who has worked across sectors including technology, aviation and road transport as well as general news. He has covered the Skripal affair extensively, with articles published by the independent news outlet UK Column and the website PropagandaInFocus.com.

Prof. Emeritus Oliver Boyd-Barrett, Bowling Green Univerisity Ohio & California State University

Oliver Boyd-Barrett is Professor Emeritus at Bowling Green University, Ohio and of California State University. He acquired his PhD at the Open University (United Kingdom). He is a scholar of international communication with particular reference to international news agencies of all kinds, and the role of propaganda in international conflicts. He authored The International News Agencies (Sage/Constable 1980). His most recent (co-authored) book (2025) is Propaganda, Communication and Empire: Western Intervention in Afghanistan. Other recent titles include Conflict Propaganda in Syria: Narrative Battles (2022), and, co-edited with Stephen Marmura, Russiagate Revisited: The Aftermath of a Hoax (2023).

Mats Nilsson, Legal Historian & Geopolitical Analyst.

Mats Nilsson is a legal historian & geopolitical analyst. He is self described as a newshound, LL.M, author, traveler, conditional pacifist, tsundokuist, epicurean, with 15 years of gov. service, no NATO, Eurasian Sovereignist.

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