The Crisis Room British blood on Putin’s hands: Salisbury inquiry unpacked
Dec 4, 2025
A recent inquiry highlights Vladimir Putin's moral responsibility for the Novichok poisoning death of Dawn Sturgess. The hosts discuss whether the government and local police acted adequately during the crisis. They delve into EU debates on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with allegations of US influence complicating the issue. Additionally, the podcast examines accusations against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding potential war crimes linked to drone strikes. Tensions around local safety and international politics are explored throughout.
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Putin Personally Responsible
- Lord Hughes concluded the Salisbury attack was a Russian state act ordered by Vladimir Putin beyond reasonable doubt.
- The inquiry released detailed operational evidence like travel records, CCTV and false passports that supported that finding.
Local Police Felt Sidestepped
- Wiltshire Police said they were irritated at not being told Sergei Skripal was living on their patch and felt excluded from the major incident response.
- Amber Rudd recalled meeting Keir Pritchard who was frustrated that his force had not been informed about Skripal's presence.
Risk Management Vs Public Panic
- The inquiry criticised communication and risk review but judged most failures as marginal and unlikely to have prevented Dawn Sturgess's death.
- Lord Hughes warned against causing public panic, which shaped cautious public-health messaging after the initial incident.