The News Agents
Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents. They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed. Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. You can listen to The News Agents on Alexa, just say "Alexa ask Global Player to play The News Agents" The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast. For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/
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Episodes
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David Blunkett on how Keir Starmer can save his premiership
Friday, 14 November 2025
It’s been a chaotic week for Labour, with rumours of internal plots and Downing Street briefing wars.As questions swirl around Keir Starmer’s leadership, and with Rachel Reeves facing mounting pressure to steady the party’s economic footing, Labour’s internal tensions are threatening to boil over.Lord Blunkett joins Jon in the studio to dissect what is going on inside Labour, how Starmer might get a handle on the situation, and ultimately save his premiership.This episode was recorded before reports of a Labour tax u-turn.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk...
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Weekend Edition: Sir Mark Cavendish - "They wrote me off but I’m a born racer" - The Sports Agents
Friday, 14 November 2025
Never write off a born racer: Sir Mark Cavendish had won 30 stages of the world's biggest cycling race, The Tour de France (even winning one makes a riders career) but he'd been out of the game for 5 years - so no one would give him a job. What happened next was one of the biggest comebacks of all time to put him among the sporting greats. Sir Mark Cavendish joins us on today's show - how did it feel to be written off? Was it fair to call him a “dickhead” as a racer? And after childhood success in ballroom dancing - is Strictly next? Plus the best bits from The Sports Agents this week - is ...
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How Epstein threatened to "take down" President Trump
Thursday, 13 November 2025
23,000 pages of documents from the “Epstein files” have been released by Congress. They reveal damning details, and suggest that Epstein and Trump were in contact long after the President has previously said. In the emails Epstein said of Trump: "I am the one able to take him down".So are Trump's connections to Epstein finally catching up to him? And do these emails really have the power to take down the President of the United States? The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a...
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Is there really a plot to oust the PM?
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Late last night came a crisis response from Downing Street responding to a story no one had even heard. The suggestion was a plot - to unseat the prime minister - supposedly by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Streeting vehemently denied the plot. But a briefing went out from Downing Street suggesting Starmer was ready for the fight. What on earth is going on?Later, Jon speaks to Christine Flack - Caroline Flack's mother - about her meetings with culture secretary Lisa Nandy to push for the second part of the cancelled Leveson Inquiry, and her new documentary into her daughter’s trial by...
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Will the BBC face down Trump in court?
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
The BBC has been set a deadline of Friday by Donald Trump's lawyer to apologise and "appropriately compensate" the US President for a Panorama edit of his January 6th speech. If the broadcaster doesn't respond, the threat of a $1bn lawsuit looms. The outgoing head of the BBC Tim Davie today told staff to "fight for our journalism" - but it's not yet clear how it will respond to the unprecedented threat from Trump. Should it have the courage to face down the threat and to challenge him in court? Many experts believe Trump's legal case is thin. So why are so many on the Right cheering on his ...
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Inside the BBC: What really went on
Monday, 10 November 2025
Over the last 48 hours, The News Agents have spoken to more than 30 people - insiders at the BBC - to try and work out the facts of what actually happened inside the corporation, and when. Both the Director General and the CEO of News resigned over the weekend, so why are some talking about a “right wing coup“? Why did the apology take so long to arrive? And why is Trump now threatening the state broadcaster with legal action?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day mo...
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Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 6 - Coining It
Saturday, 8 November 2025
This is the final episode of Coining It. If you'd like to catch up from the beginning, head to Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts and search for 'Coining It'. Or, if you've enjoyed the series, head to the Coining It feed where you can leave a rating and a review. In this episode... Who was the real James Parker? Lewis pieces together the truth behind the would-be Robin Hood, as his friends face jail for their actions. Penniless and abandoned, James is still holding one last twist - while the police close in on his missing millions.From Global and Free Turn, Lewis Goodall uncove...
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Q&A: Should we abolish the monarchy?
Friday, 7 November 2025
Is it time to rethink the British monarchy? Why has “Your Party” been such a spectacular flop? Is Starmer the biggest obstacle to a Labour second term? And what IS the Overton window?This Friday, Jon, Lewis and Emily answer your questions. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Weekend Edition: Celebrity Traitors special with Clare Balding - The Sports Agents
Friday, 7 November 2025
We've been Traitors mad so Clare Balding joined Gabby and Mark for a slightly different episode of The Sports Agents. Don't worry there's no spoilers from the final! Is she bitter no one listened to her about Alan? Why did everyone underestimate Joe Marler? What did Claire tell the producers they should change about the game? And how did Claire know Celia was going to fart? Plus we look back at two huge interviews on the podcast this week with former England manager Gareth Southgate and Euros winner Mary Earps. 📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us you...
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Malala: “Would I have chosen a different life?“
Thursday, 6 November 2025
13 years ago, a teenage education activist in Pakistan was attacked by the Taliban — catapulting her onto the global stage. Malala Yousafzai went on to become a global icon and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner.This week, she joined Jon and Emily to discuss her powerful new book, reflecting on the journey from her early activism in Pakistan to becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for girls’ education. She shares what has changed — and what hasn’t — for young women seeking their right to learn, the personal stories behind her latest writing, and why she believes gl...
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Should Mamdani's win in NYC be a wake-up call for Labour?
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Overnight, progressives in New York witnessed a political earthquake. A resounding win on a high turnout for the city’s first Muslim mayor - a democratic socialist with robust ideas about capitalism. Was it his youth? His clear cut policies? Or was it his authenticity that energised the city’s voters? And are there lessons to be learned for how politics should be done here in 2025?Health Minister, Wes Streeting, joins us to talk about personality in politics, and what Labour could learn from Mamdani's example. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE ...
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Is the Chancellor about to break her manifesto promise?
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
At 8:10 this morning the Chancellor made a speech in Westminster. 45 minutes later no one was any the wiser. She promised to be honest with the public but refused to confirm tax rises or a commitment to her manifesto pledge and rule them out. So what was it all for?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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The train stabbings: Could it have been prevented by stop and search?
Monday, 3 November 2025
The appalling train stabbing on Saturday night has sent politicians scurrying to find the right policy response. The shadow Home Secretary is calling for a dramatic increase in stop and search. Would this yield more arrests? Create a deterrent? Or just create tension and division amongst communities? We talk to Neil Basu, former head of counter terrorism and frequent target of Stop and Search himself. Later, why is Elon Musk conflating hobbits and rapists in rural England?You can listen to The Crime Agents special episode on the train stabbings here: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/ep...
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Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 5 - Coining It
Saturday, 1 November 2025
We're back with the penultimate episode of Coining It. Thank you for the brilliant response to the series so far. If you don't want to wait for the last episode on this feed, the entire series is available now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.In this episode... The party’s over. When one of James’ friends goes to the police, detectives finally connect the dots. James is hauled in for questioning - but doesn't give a monkeys. As greed and paranoia take hold, his last friendships fracture beyond repair.
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The King banishes Andrew - but will it be enough?
Friday, 31 October 2025
It's a 2025 royal knockout. After sustained and mounting pressure, the King took drastic action last night, stripping his brother of his prince title and turfing him out of Royal Lodge. Prince Andrew becomes Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Why has King Charles moved so decisively against his brother now? And will this draw a line under the Epstein scandal that has dogged the Palace - or are there still questions that remain unresolved?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-d...
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Weekend Edition: Why doesn't the government fund deaf athletes? - The Sports Agents
Friday, 31 October 2025
Did you know the government doesn't fund deaf athletes, because they aren’t allowed to compete at the Paralympics? For 100 years now they’ve been holding their own competition - the Deaflympics - where referee whistles are replaced by flag signals, and starting guns by flashing lights. But no Paralympics means no funding. All because they were born with the so-called “wrong” disability. Great Britain medal hopefuls Charlotte Gower and Nathan Young join Gabby. Plus we look back at the best bits from this week on The Sports Agents from the NBA gambling scandal featuring the mafia and x-ray gl...
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Is a British arms deal helping to fuel the Sudan genocide?
Thursday, 30 October 2025
Why are British-made military items being found on the killing fields of Sudan? It's a question that the government has been asked in parliament today, amid escalating reports of the most brutal mass killings of civilians. The Guardian revealed this week that UK-manufactured military equipment is being used by the RSF militia in Sudan - who are accused of committing genocide in the country by the USA. So what's going on? And could it prompt a rethink of where we sell our military equipment?Later - is Geert Wilders returning to the wilderness? The Dutch electorate seem to have dealt him a bl...
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Is Starmer about to break his biggest promise yet?
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
With the budget looming next month, Keir Starmer has refused to stand by his manifesto commitments not to raise income tax. It comes as Labour's poll rating hits an all time low - so will this be the final blow for voters? Later, after admitting he won't (probably) won't be seeking another term, was Trump ever serious about a third run at President? And what is the future for MAGA when he leaves office? The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Is Trump getting away with murder in the Caribbean?
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Donald Trump is declaring his actions in the Caribbean a war on drugs. Democrats are calling it "state-sanctioned murder". What is Trump's game plan for Venezuela? Is it about fentanyl? Oil? Or regime change? Later - the latest YouGov poll has put four major parties all within two points of each other. What does it tell us about the state of UK politics? And what can we learn from Plaid Cymru’s success in last week's Caerphilly by-election ?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now w...
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Is the King losing his grip on the Prince Andrew crisis?
Monday, 27 October 2025
Why was the king heckled outside Lichfield Cathedral? Will Andrew vacate Royal Lodge for two other royal homes? And when will the public appetite be satisfied that the palace has done enough? We take you behind the curtain to the events at the end of last week and the key conversation that never happened. Later, was Reform MP Sarah Pochin racist in her comments about TV adverts? And is she a danger to Reform, or an asset?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-b...
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Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 4 - Coining It
Saturday, 25 October 2025
Thank you for all the positive reactions to Global's latest unmissable podcast series, Coining It. This is episode 4. If you don't want to wait for episode 5 on this feed, the entire series is available now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.In this episode... James Parker’s secret has been rumbled. But he’s not about to give up his millionaire spending. And instead of handing back all his glitched bitcoin, he and his financial advisor have come up with a deal to broker. Meanwhile, James’ friends realise the depth of the trouble they’re all in... James wants his Bitcoin back.
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Jens Stoltenberg on Putin, Trump and Europe’s future
Friday, 24 October 2025
As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics shake Western democracies, NATO is facing one of the most turbulent moments in its 75-year history. This Friday the former NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, joins Lewis to talk about the war in Ukraine, the rise of populism in the West, and how to deal with Trump. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Weekend Edition: Is Formula One in for a hollywood ending? - The Sports Agents
Friday, 24 October 2025
Formula One might be about to witness a comeback worthy of a Drive to Survive Hollywood film. With five races to go, the McLaren driver win that seemed as certain as death and taxes, has suddenly been put in jeopardy by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Could they pull off the impossible? Gabby and Mark are joined by 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, who has history with both teams as a world championship runner-up with McLaren, who became the highest scoring British driver of all time while at Red Bull. Plus, we look back at this week on The Sports Agents. Andy Cole, the Premier League...
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Is the government's small boats plan "in tatters"?
Thursday, 23 October 2025
Keir Starmer came to power vowing to smash the gangs and stop the boats. He believes in the power of returns agreements to solve the problem - and established the 'one in - one out' system with France. An irregular migrant is returned for each refugee who has gone through the process properly. But, in a moment of low farce and high tragedy, an Iranian man - one of the very first to be sent back to France - turned back up on these shores on a small boat for a second time. So much for a deterrent, it would seem. So is the system broken? And could Labour now be thinking the unthinkable about t...
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Will Prince Andrew be called to face Parliament?
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
The pressure is mounting on Parliament to scrutinise the housing arrangements of our Royal family after the times revealed this week Prince Andrew pays a mere peppercorn rent on Royal Lodge. Could he be called before MPs to explain his finances? Does the tax payer still fund this disgraced Royal? And what is the nature of the relationship between Parliament and palace that makes them so unwilling to ask?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Prince Andrew - Could more women now come forward?
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Amy Wallace, the co author of Virginia Giuffre‘ s memoir - which is published today - has told Emily it’s possible more women will now come forward to reveal what they know about Prince Andrew’s actions on Epstein’s island. She calls on Andrew to “name names” of other abusers around Epstein. And she speaks for the first time about what Virginia believed happened on the night Epstein died.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Prince Andrew and the Epstein scandal - Virginia Giuffre in her own words
Monday, 20 October 2025
Virginia Giuffre is speaking to us from beyond the grave - with her memoir about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Epstein and - she claims - Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew continues to deny those allegations.The book is a harrowing account of abuse, pain and control. Does it change how we see Andrew? Should he now stand trial? And what does it tell us more widely about complicity and power?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee
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Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 3 - Coining It
Saturday, 18 October 2025
You've loved Coining It, so it's back for episode 3. Thank you for the brilliant response to the first two episodes. If you don't want to wait for episode 4 on this feed, the entire series is available now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.In this episode... Destination: Dubai. James Parker and his newly hired financial advisor are on the trip of a lifetime - to meet a man who can turn their glitched Bitcoin into gold and cash. But just as they’re about to board the plane, James gets a call. It’s the owner of the trading platform… and he wants his money back. Now.From Globa...
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Zack Polanski on populism, patriotism and poverty
Friday, 17 October 2025
It's just six weeks since Zack Polanski became leader of the Green party. He's not even an MP. And yet, in that short space of time, he's become something of a political rockstar for those on the left of British politics. His party is shooting up in the polls, he's attracted a devout and growing following on social media, and his modern style of communication is marking him out against what can at times feel like a rather stale political establishment in Westminster. In this extended interview, Lewis speaks to Polanski about his political journey and about his radical vision. Why does he su...
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Weekend Edition: Has British Gymnastics cleaned up its act? - The Sports Agents
Friday, 17 October 2025
British Gymnastics has been on a journey of root and branch reform since the damning 2022 ‘Whyte Review’ exposed systemic abuse and cultural failings.We are now three years into its "Reform 25" plan, which was designed to "create safe, positive and fair experiences for all in gymnastics by 2025" by implementing the Whyte Review recommendations. So as the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships starts, has enough progress been made? Gabby and Mark are joined by Joseph Carr, Senior Associate in the Abuse Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, who has acted for around 40 clients bringing abuse cases in gymn...
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The News Agents
David Blunkett on how Keir Starmer can save his premiership
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AmericastAre cracks showing inside Trump’s MAGA movement?