# Porton Down on The No Agenda Show

Porton Down comes up in 8 chapters across 8 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from January 2017 to August 2023.

- **Chapters:** 8
- **Episodes:** 8
- **Discussed:** January 2017 – August 2023
- **Related topics:** [Novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [Salisbury](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/salisbury.md), [Sergei Skripal](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sergei-skripal.md), [Chemical Weapons](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/chemical-weapons.md), [Nerve Agent](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nerve-agent.md), [Bashar Al-assad](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bashar-al-assad.md), [Boris Johnson](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/boris-johnson.md), [Brexit](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/brexit.md), [David Kelly](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/david-kelly.md), [Disease X](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/disease-x.md)

## Chapters 1–8 of 8

### Disease X, Porton Down and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

- **Episode:** [1580: Coup Map](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1580-coup-map.md)
- **Published:** 2023-08-10
- **Time:** 1:03:06–1:07:43
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1580-coup-map/chapter/disease-x-porton-down-and-crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever.md

The UK has established a new vaccine research center at Porton Down to prepare for "Disease X," a hypothetical future pathogen. Scientists are currently developing a vaccine for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a tick-borne virus with a 30% fatality rate that is reportedly moving north due to climate change. The World Economic Forum has also highlighted Disease X as a priority for global pandemic preparedness.

Keywords: [disease x](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/disease-x.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), cchf, [uk health security agency](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/uk-health-security-agency.md), [world economic forum](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/world-economic-forum.md)

### UK Coronavirus Variant, Matt Hancock, and Economic Devastation

- **Episode:** [1304: Ten Days of Darkness](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1304-ten-days-of-darkness.md)
- **Published:** 2020-12-19
- **Time:** 15:54–19:00
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1304-ten-days-of-darkness/chapter/uk-coronavirus-variant-matt-hancock-and-economic-devastation.md

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock updated Parliament on a new variant of the coronavirus identified in southeast England that may spread faster than previous strains. The discussion highlights the resulting economic devastation in the UK, where many small businesses are facing bankruptcy.

Keywords: [matt hancock](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/matt-hancock.md), [united kingdom](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/united-kingdom.md), coronavirus variant, [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [lockdowns](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/lockdowns.md)

### Novichok Investigation, Salisbury Fugu Fish Theory

- **Episode:** [1022: LibJoe](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1022-libjoe.md)
- **Published:** 2018-04-05
- **Time:** 1:55:14–1:57:59
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1022-libjoe/chapter/novichok-investigation-salisbury-fugu-fish-theory.md

Experts at Porton Down were unable to identify the specific source of the Novichok nerve agent used in the Salisbury poisoning. Russian sources have floated a theory that the victims may have been poisoned by improperly prepared Fugu (blowfish) at a local restaurant. The hosts mock the absurdity of the "blowjob" headlines that would result if the theory were true.

Keywords: [novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [salisbury](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/salisbury.md), [fugu](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/fugu.md), [nerve agent](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nerve-agent.md)

### Sergei Skripal, Novichok Poisoning Investigation

- **Episode:** [1020: Undercount of Color](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1020-undercount-of-color.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-29
- **Time:** 2:41:10–2:44:24
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1020-undercount-of-color/chapter/sergei-skripal-novichok-poisoning-investigation.md

The investigation into the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury has shifted to his home, where high concentrations of a nerve agent were found. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has dismissed Russian denials as "ludicrous fibs." The hosts note the proximity of the Porton Down chemical weapons facility to the crime scene and suggest the incident is being used to influence public opinion on Brexit.

Keywords: [sergei skripal](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sergei-skripal.md), [novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [russia](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/russia.md), [boris johnson](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/boris-johnson.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [brexit](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/brexit.md)

### Novichok Nerve Agent, Strike Back TV Show, Porton Down

- **Episode:** [1018: Bunny Wars](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1018-bunny-wars.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-22
- **Time:** 2:21:03–2:23:29
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1018-bunny-wars/chapter/novichok-nerve-agent-strike-back-tv-show-porton-down.md

The Salisbury nerve agent attack involving "Novichok" is compared to a plotline from the UK TV drama Strike Back, which aired just weeks before the real-world event. The segment notes the proximity of the attack to the UK's Porton Down chemical weapons facility. The narrative surrounding the "mythical" Russian nerve agent is questioned for its timing and consistency.

Keywords: [novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [salisbury](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/salisbury.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), strike back, [chemical weapons](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/chemical-weapons.md)

### Sergei Skripal, Novichok Nerve Agent Investigation in Salisbury

- **Episode:** [1017: Tech Neck](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1017-tech-neck.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-18
- **Time:** 5:19–7:44
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1017-tech-neck/chapter/sergei-skripal-novichok-nerve-agent-investigation-in-salisbury.md

The investigation into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England, remains clouded by uncertainty regarding the specific nerve agent used. While UK officials identify the substance as Novichok, scientists at Porton Down have not provided a definitive public analysis. Comparisons are drawn to the 2003 death of weapons expert David Kelly, suggesting a pattern of suspicious deaths involving individuals with sensitive intelligence.

Keywords: [sergei skripal](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sergei-skripal.md), [novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [salisbury](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/salisbury.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [david kelly](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/david-kelly.md)

### Novichok Nerve Agent, Porton Down Identification

- **Episode:** [1016: Bong Rip](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1016-bong-rip.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-15
- **Time:** 1:42:33–1:48:59
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1016-bong-rip/chapter/novichok-nerve-agent-porton-down-identification.md

The UK government identified the substance used in the Salisbury poisoning as "Novichok," a class of military-grade nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union. The hosts express skepticism regarding the speed of the identification by the Porton Down laboratory. They cite reports from the OPCW suggesting that independent confirmation of Novichok's properties has historically been sparse.

Keywords: [novichok](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/novichok.md), [nerve agent](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/nerve-agent.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [sergei skripal](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sergei-skripal.md), [opcw](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/opcw.md)

### Syria Chemical Weapons, Seymour Hersh Reporting

- **Episode:** [895: Yes Wee Can](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/895-yes-wee-can.md)
- **Published:** 2017-01-15
- **Time:** 39:25–44:23
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/895-yes-wee-can/chapter/syria-chemical-weapons-seymour-hersh-reporting.md

Reports from Reuters and PBS regarding Bashar al-Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons in 2014 and 2015 are challenged. Evidence from the Porton Down testing facility in the UK is cited to suggest the chemical signatures did not match Syrian government supplies, supporting prior reporting by Seymour Hersh.

Keywords: [bashar al-assad](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bashar-al-assad.md), [syria](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/syria.md), [chemical weapons](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/chemical-weapons.md), [porton down](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/porton-down.md), [seymour hersh](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/seymour-hersh.md), [obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/obama.md)

---

This is the markdown version of a page on The No Agenda Show for AI agents. Every public page on this site has one: add `.md` to its URL, or request it with `Accept: text/markdown`.

- [Site index for agents (llms.txt)](https://search.noagendashow.net/llms.txt)
- [Home](https://search.noagendashow.net/index.md)
- [Search transcripts](https://search.noagendashow.net/search.md)
- [All episodes](https://search.noagendashow.net/episodes.md)
- [Topics](https://search.noagendashow.net/topics.md)
- [People](https://search.noagendashow.net/people.md)