Wiltshire

Wiltshire, a county in the UK, is currently newsworthy due to two primary factors: Porton Down and the 2018 Novichok poisonings. Porton Down houses the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), a government defense science powerhouse. Recent reports indicate a shake-up at DSTL is allegedly harming critical national security science, according to a whistleblower. Separately, the family of Dawn Sturgess, who died in the 2018 Novichok poisonings in Wiltshire, are preparing to lay her to rest after an inquiry concluded she was an innocent victim of a Russian attack. However, the family has also criticized the UK government, stating that lessons have not been learned from the incident and expressing concerns about public safety. These events highlight ongoing concerns about national security, the effectiveness of government agencies, and the lasting impact of the Novichok attack on the Wiltshire community.