New Secrets of the Salisbury Poisonings documentary available to stream from Boxing Day

Wednesday, 22 December 2021 00:00

A brand new documentary revealing the secrets of the Salisbury poisonings will be available to stream on discovery+ from Boxing Day.

In March 2018, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia, were taken to hospital suffering from a mysterious illness. It was quickly discovered that they had been poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok, one of the deadliest substances on earth.

This discovery+ original documentary tells the definitive story of the assassination attempt on the former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and its devastating aftermath.

Featuring first time interviews from those at the centre of the unprecedented national emergency, the film reveals the horrifying impact of the nerve agent attack on the city that sent shockwaves across the globe.

With many interviewees speaking on camera for the first time, the documentary deconstructs, in forensic detail, the events that left one innocent woman dead and brought relations between Russia and the West to their lowest point since the Cold War.

The testimony-driven documentary brings the evolving spy story up to date, reflecting the emotional, human experiences of those who were at the centre of the story, including Novichok survivors Nick Bailey and Charlie Rowley and the doctors and nurses on the frontline that battled to save the victims. Interviewees include key members of Wilshire Police and Counter-Terrorism chief, Sir Mark Rowley, who was tasked with bringing those behind the attack to justice.

Tracy Daszkiewicz, local Director of Public Health at the time, describes the challenge of tracking the movements of the Skripals and locking down contaminated areas of the city. Local eyewitnesses give first-hand testimony and in Russia, Sergei Skripals’ niece speaks out.

The film also reveals the dilemmas faced by the British government as the story unfolded, with access to the then Home Secretary Amber Rudd and National Security Advisor Lord Mark Sedwill.

Secrets of the Salisbury Poisoning is available to stream from 26th December, on discovery+.