The 'toxic town' and the mothers seeking justice for their poisoned babies

The 'toxic town' and the mothers seeking justice for their poisoned babies

Author: The Times February 11, 2025 Duration: 31:57

When the closed steelworks in Corby, Northamptonshire, were being cleaned up ahead of redevelopment, trucks ferrying debris away from the site released poisonous dust into the air. Dozens of children born during this time had malformed limbs and other issues leading to a decades-long fight for justice. Now their story, which came to national attention via the Sunday Times, is finding a new audience - in Toxic Town a Netflix drama - and families hope it will help others to join the dots.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: Can Netflix bring justice to the town poisoned by dust?

Clips: Sky News, BBC.

Photo: Sunday Times illustration.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com  

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
The fallout in Scotland: What now for the SNP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:23
For more than a decade Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon were the dream team that dominated Scottish politics, leading the charge for Scottish independence. But damning accusations have brought the pair into the spotlight…
Meghan and Harry v The Firm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
In a bombshell world exclusive interview, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, sat down with Oprah Winfrey and talked at lengths about reasons for their departure from the Royal Family. What's the future for the coup…
Failures of State: How Britain made the same mistake twice (Pt 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:39
In the second of three episodes this week, the Sunday Times Insight team explains how Britain unleashed a second disastrous wave of the virus despite repeated warnings from experts.This podcast was brought to you thanks…
An exclusive interview with the fake heiress Anna Delvey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
What happened when Laura Pullman met the newly released Anna Delvey (AKA Sorokin) for The Sunday Times? Anna is a modern day Gatsby who scammed New York’s high society and ended up in prison.This podcast was brought to y…
Budget 2021: Who is Rishi Sunak? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:56
Not many knew of Rishi Sunak until he was appointed Chancellor last year. Now a household name, today he will deliver his second budget which will be central to the government's ongoing response to the pandemic. But who…
Inside Britain's first gaming addiction clinic for teenagers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
What would you do if your child couldn't stop gaming? Jenny Kleeman meets a teenage patient getting specialist help. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Sub…
The blame game: What really caused the Texas blackouts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Texas is still reeling from an unprecedented energy disaster, where unusually cold temperatures brought their power grid to a standstill earlier this month. Now, as the dust settles and the ice melts, the blame game begi…
Update on Shamima Begum: Bring Me Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:39
The Supreme Court has ruled that Shamima Begum will not be allowed to return to the UK to fight her citizenship case. Begum, who was a teenager when she left Britain to join ISIS, has been fighting a legal battle to retu…
The Jessie Earl story: The family pain of an unsolved murder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
Features writer for The Sunday Times Rosie Kinchen examines what it's like to live through the ordeal of losing your daughter and never getting the recognition of what exactly happened.This podcast was brought to you tha…