Episodes
After a ninety minute crisis cabinet meeting - driven by the appalling scenes of starvation in Gaza - Keir Starmer emerged with a plan: the UK would recognise Palestine by September. If Israel hadn’t changed its behaviour before then. So, is statehood for Palestine an end goal for UK foreign policy? Or just a punishment for Israel? And what happens if there ARE moves towards peace in the next six weeks - is that rewarded by the UK stepping back from its pledge? We talk to global historian Peter Frankopan about what “recognition“ really means. And ask Emily Thornberry where it leaves her par...
Nigel Farage is no stranger to harsh criticism from his political rivals, but never before has he been linked to prolific paedophile Jimmy Savile.That is, until now.Cabinet minister Peter Kyle has accused the Reform UK leader of being “on the side” of Savile after Farage said he would repeal the government’s online safety act. Farage has now demanded an apology - but Kyle’s doubled down. Are Labour brushing over the genuine unease that many people have about the online safety act? And is their rhetoric making Farage look like the grown up in the room? Later, did Starmer do enough to defend ...
A wave of anti-migrant protests and counter-protests took place at migrant hotels around the country this weekend, with police being drafted in from all around. So, how close are we to another summer of riots? We sent The Crime Agent's Andy Hughes down to the protests in Epping as tensions in the community have been escalating for weeks. Later, how safe are the new online age verification measures brought in for the Online Safety Act? The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
This Friday, Jon is joined by Tina Brown - former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker - to discuss her run ins with Jeffrey Epstein, the fallout from the Epstein files, and what this could all spell for President Trump. You can read Tina's substack 'Fresh Hell' here: https://tinabrown.substack.com/ The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
England are into the Euros final again! Last time, as soon as they won the Lionesses sent a letter to Downing Street demanding equal access to PE for girls. If they wrote again this time, what should they ask for to make football more inclusive for women? Gabby figures it out with Vice Chair of Kick It Out, Chris Paouros, and author of "Get Your Tits Out For The Lads", Sally Freedman. (06:30)Plus we share our favourite bits from this week's episodes - how will Marcus Rashford fit in at Barcelona? Can we start comparing Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods? And will teenage sensation Michelle Ag...
This is the story that Trump just can’t escape. The White House has pushed back after reports that the President was told in May that he was among hundreds of names mentioned in the Epstein Files. As the pressure mounts, and Trump’s attempts to deflect the story fail, can he ‘fake news’ his way out of it? Or could the MAGA faithful finally turn on the President?
For the last two weeks, Donald Trump has been trying to make the Epstein story go away after he claimed there were no missing files and there was nothing more to see. Now, Ghislaine Maxwell - the former partner of Jeffrey Epstein, and the only person to serve jail time for his crimes - has been summoned to a meeting with the US justice department. Why? What information could she offer up that she hasn’t before? Do they want her to name names? Or take Trump’s name out of the frame? And might she walk free if she does? Later, the broadcaster and journalist Mehdi Hasan found himself in a room...
“Let them eat burgers“ - Israel’s PM Netanyahu has popped up on a Canadian fratcast talking about his favourite fast food and weighing up the merits of the Double Whopper. Across the border, Gazans are starving to death - UN estimates suggest a thousand have been shot in the meagre food distribution queues. Many more are facing malnutrition and critical levels of hunger. We keep being told that 80 percent of Israelis are against the war - so why hasn’t it stopped? We speak to Ayala Panievsky.Later, Hunter Biden rants at George Clooney and Barack Obama’s team for trying to bring his father d...
Donald Trump has filed two defamation suits of ten billion dollars each against Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal. The newspaper claimed Trump sent a lurid birthday note to the grim dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein - something Trump has vehemently denied. Why is Trump trying to kill the Epstein story now? And why won’t his MAGA base let it die? Later, has environment secretary Steve Reed really stopped water bosses bonuses? Or are they just taking home their millions in a different way?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions about the Afghan data leak - what were the legal loopholes? Why hasn’t the Speaker resigned? And is there a situation where you'd ever disobey a super injunction? Later, why is the Labour party at war with Diane Abbott? And is the story of the couple caught having an affair at a Coldplay concert really a public interest story worth our attention?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
As almost 100,000 fans head to Wembley Stadium to watch Oleksandr Usyk fight Daniel Dubois to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion, Gabby and Mark are joined by boxing reporter, Steve Bunce, who never fails to make us laugh! (09:00)Plus, Gabby and Mark look back at the best bit from this week's shows! Watch our full episodes on YouTube at @sportsagentspodTikTok: @thesportsagentsInstagram: @thesportsagentsX: @sportsagentspodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandGuest Booker: Kirsty GiddingsTom Hu...
Last night the Prime Minister chucked four of his more rebellious MPs out of the parliamentary Labour Party. Technically, he 'removed the whip' which means that for now they cannot call themselves Labour MPs. Was he right to move against them? Does it make him stronger or weaker in his job? And what message does it send out about how Starmer wants to govern? Later, why were key intelligence figures not informed of the Afghan data breach? And did the government mislead the courts over the severity of the situation?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Questions are still mounting after the super-injunction imposed on The News Agents - to stop us reporting the story of a catastrophic data breach that put up to 100,000 Afghan allies at risk - was lifted.Who bears the heaviest burden of responsibility for creating this mess?Emily, Jon and Lewis discuss the questions that the Tories, who imposed the super injunction in 2023, need to face up to - and why Labour, who upheld the super-injunction for nearly a year, must also be held accountable.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
The government admitted today that the superinjunction which for two years prevented us from reporting on a “catastrophic” data breach which put the lives of 100,000 Afghans at potentially lethal risk by the Taliban was “constitutionally unprecedented”.The Defence secretary stood up in the Commons to issue an apology to those Afghans whose data had been leaked, and said that it had been “deeply uncomfortable” to have kept parliament - and the public - in the dark.On the day that the story finally became public, John Healey came in to speak exclusively to Lewis, the first journalist to be is...
For nearly two years the government has taken The News Agents and other journalists to a secret court to prevent us from reporting a story of huge public interest. In August 2023 Lewis was told of a massive data breach at the Ministry of Defence - a dataset including the names and contact details of 18000 applicants to the ARAP programme, the scheme for Afghans who had helped the British armed forces in the 20 year war in the country. These people were already at risk of reprisal from the Taliban and now their details were out there, provided courtesy, in effect, of the British government. ...
More in Common's latest research of 20 thousand people suggests nearly 90 percent of us have little or no trust in politicians. 70 percent of voters think this country is on the wrong track, and the prevailing word used to describe Britain is 'broken'. What does that mean for main stream political parties? How do they convince people politics can improve their lives? And will the next electoral race be between populists on the left and populists on the right? We dig into the 7 political tribes as described by More in Common's Luke Tryl and ask the man who wants to lead the Green Party - Za...
It would be an exaggeration to say the vultures are already circling the wagon - but there are already conversations taking place about Keir Starmer's future. Bloomberg and Sky have both reported that sources in Labour are already contemplating the prospect of a move against the PM next May after the local elections.Absolutely crucial to those results will be Wales. Labour has never been out of power since devolution in Wales - more than a quarter of a century ago. But if polling is to be believed, that could. all be about to change. Reform and Plaid Cymru, the Welsh independents, both appe...
More bonus content from our new-look weekend edition! The British & Irish Lions are soon to face Australia in the big three Tests, after wrapping up their warm-up games. So Gabby caught up with former Lions & England flanker, James Haskell to talk about Henry Pollock, where the team need to improve, what it's like to get a late call up like Owen Farrell and almost killing Rory Best on Tour. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault support is available. You can contact The Survivors Trust on 0808 801 0818 or online for confidential help.You can watch our full episodes o...
Gregg Wallace’s friends have been telling newspapers that his "autistic hypersensitivity" meant that he had an “oddity of filters and boundaries", including an inability to wear underwear or any tight clothing. Gregg himself has complained that the BBC neglected its duty of care to him and his recently diagnosed autism. Fifty more people have come forward this week to complain to the BBC about his alleged over-sexualised behaviour on Masterchef. Does Gregg Wallace believe he’s the real victim here? Why is he selling wellness consultation? And why did those around him who saw what he was doi...
Last night on X, Elon Musk's AI chatbot - Grok - started imitating Hitler in its responses to user questions. Was this intentional? Did Musk really command his AI tool to spew out anti-semitic takes? And will this lead to any sort of regulation over AI?Later, we discuss the upcoming doctors strike. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned resident doctors the public "won't forgive" them, and despite a pay rise of 29% over the last three years they will still walk out at the end of the month.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
The government has studiously avoided ruling out a wealth tax this week. Minister after minister has refused to knock down the suggestion, despite the Chancellor having dismissed the idea as recently as April. So what's changed? Could a levy on wealthy individuals be on the cards for October's budget? Would it even raise any money - or is Rachel Reeves in danger of scaring wealth creators out of Britain? We speak to the incoming director of the IFS, Helen Miller. And later, why the failure to produce an 'Epstein client list' is sending MAGA crazy - and why bad bosses who try and gag their e...
Labour used to be the party that leapt to the defence of the BBC. So why was the Culture Secretary this weekend calling for heads to roll, saying she was "exasperated" at the broadcaster, and refusing to express confidence its director general Tim Davie? The BBC has admitted to failings in its Glastonbury coverage, which saw it stream one act chanting "death to the IDF" - despite the corporation later admitting it had deemed them "high risk" before the festival. But those admissions don't appear to have satisfied the government. Is Labour falling out of love with the BBC? And should the BBC...
Twelve months ago, the Conservatives suffered the worst general election result in their near 200 year history and Keir Starmer took up the mantle at Downing Street. It's been turbulent - from riots sweeping the UK, to party divisions and economic uncertainty. This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions about the Prime Minister's first year in office and look back on how his government is doing. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Welcome to the new-look weekend edition with fresh interviews and content! With the Tour de France starting this weekend Gabby and Mark try to get their heads around the immense physical and mental challenge of winning one of the world's toughest races. They speak to the winner of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, Kasia Niewiadoma (06:15), ex-pro cyclist, Adam Blythe, and former Team Sky nutritionist, Nigel Mitchell (21:30). You can watch our full episodes on YouTube here!Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum Scotland...
Keir Starmer did a round of interviews this morning in a show of support for his Chancellor. And the reason was clear. After she cried in the Commons chamber yesterday the bond markets started to panic. If Rachel Reeves leaves the government, so the theory goes, her fiscal rules, her commitment to economic discipline, could be revisited. So after a bumpy week - for both Reeves and the government - has she proved to be unsackable?And if it is the same Rachel Reeves who is to blame for some of the policy blunders made in the first twelve months of Keir Starmer's premiership - is that a proble...
There is much we still don’t know or understand about today. Was Rachel Reeves upset by an altercation with the Speaker? Was the issue something more personal? Was she exhausted after the fruitless and demoralising failure of her welfare reform bill? But the sight of the Chancellor at lunch time today fighting back tears at the PM's side was pretty surreal. She looked wounded, fragile and hurt - and inevitably, it’s started speculation she does not have the Prime Minister's full confidence. The markets are queasy - reflecting a panic that the government is looking less stable. Could the PM ...
After a lull in the Bro Wars - the sequel. This time Trump is threatening not only to remove Musk's government subsidies but even have him deported. Why? It all goes back to Musk's criticism of Trump's massive spending bill - which gives the wealthy tax cuts and removes Medicaid for 17 million Americans - and would add 3 trillion dollars to America's ballooning deficit. Could Musk start his own party? Will he really prove a political force against Trump? Which speaks louder in America - wealth or executive office? Later, how shit is Britain? Should we accept the declinist narrative of the c...
Tomorrow, Labour MPs will be asked to vote on the rejigged welfare reform bill. Senior Labour politicians Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham still don’t think it’s worth the paper it’s written on. But the whole debacle has thrown up a bigger question about Starmer's leadership and authority. Does anyone really understand what’s in the PM's mind or what he is trying to achieve? We speak to the Starmer whisperer, Tom Baldwin. Later, Glastonbury, Bob Vylan and the BBC. And how has Wimbledon now become a symbol of Britain's decline?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
This Friday, Lewis is joined in the studio by the newest members of the 'agents' family. Neil Basu is former head of Counter Terrorism Policing and Andy Hughes is an investigative journalist who's been covering crime for two decades. They look back on 2017, a year which the UK experienced a series of devastating terrorist attacks, to talk about what it takes to catch a terrorist, and why some slip through the net. You can listen to The Crime Agents here: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42L4DG/ The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
This week on The Sports Agents...A big exclusive ahead of the Euros with two of England's defending champions, Lauren Hemp & Niamh Charles, Gabby goes behind the scenes at Wimbledon (10:30) and after England's historic comeback we ask ex-England bowler Steven Finn if 5-day cricket is too long? (19:30)You can watch our full episodes on YouTube here. Got a question for The Sports Agents? Email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.