The News Agents

This week on The Sports Agents...

An array of stardust as the likes of legendary jockeyAP McCoy and Team GB icon Denise Lewis joined Gabby & Mark on the podcast.

Is your Premier League club trying to kill off season tickets and is Everton's latest points deduction fair?

Does Seb Coe deserve credit for announcing prize money will be paid to Athletes who win gold at the Olympics - and after terror threats at Champions League games - how will Paris ensure fan safety at the Games this summer?

All this and much more on the Sports Agents over the last seven days.

Here's a little flavour of some of the highlights...

On today's episode, we speak to Europe's first black leader - Vaughan Gething, the new First Minister of Wales. In an extended conversation, we talk his rise to the top of Welsh politics amidst experiences of racism, his political motivations and what is next for Wales if Labour return to power.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

TW: This episode includes discussions around suicide. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans listen. Call them on 116 123.

Last week, The National Union of Education voted overwhelmingly at their conference to 'abolish Ofsted' - saying it causes more harm than good and needed urgent and fundamental reform.

They can't, of course, but today we - with your help - are asking if Ofsted is fit for purpose.

We hear from teachers and heads - our listeners - who tell us what needs to change.

We speak to Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, the Head of Caversham Primary who killed herself in the aftermath of an 'inadequate' rating and inspection, and finally we speak to Ofsted's new head - Sir Martyn Oliver.

Does he think Ofsted has made mistakes? Did he fire anyone following the coroners verdict into Ruth's death? Would he change the one word summary ruling of 'outstanding' down to 'inadequate'.

And how does he reflect upon words and actions of Amanda Spielman, his predecessor at Ofsted - criticised by many teachers for failing to find the right, compassionate tone in the face of that tragedy.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick & Shane Fennelly

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

William Wragg, the MP who found himself blackmailed by a person to whom he'd sent explicit photographs - last night resigned the Conservative party whip.

It means Sunak has lost another MP - Wragg will quit parliament anyway after the next election. He was the victim of a honeytrap which lured him into believing the messages he was receiving from a stranger.

But he was also unwise enough to share colleagues contact details when pressured by his blackmailer. Today we go back to the origins of the honeytrap story with the Politico journalist who broke the story, Aggie Chambre.

Later we look at Sunak's relationship with the voter - as revealed in this morning's LBC interview with various callers. What does it tell us about his campaigning strategy?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

It is a truth near-universally acknowledged (amongst pollsters at least) that Labour will be the largest party at the next election.

But how would they actually differ from the Tories in terms of what they do once in power?

They've pledged not to raise taxes and not to remove the recent cuts. They're determined to be fiscally responsible - which means little room for spending plans.

So what will actually change - at a moment when the country is crying out for repair?

We talk to Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

And - Suella has returned from Israel and come to the LBC studios to share her thoughts on the Middle East and the shape of the Tory party. Does she represent a significant chunk of the country in what she thinks? We discuss.

Oh and Liz Truss was given advice by the Queen - which she ignored...

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Police are re-examining claims Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law more than a decade ago by failing to pay a capital gains tax worth around £2000. Is there a real story here? Is it about impropriety? Class? Big money vs. small money? And who?s behind it?

Later author of Autocracy Inc. Anne Applebaum on Donald Trump's plan to ?end the Ukraine war? and why it makes no sense.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This week on The Sports Agents, your questions for Gabby & Mark on everything from Olympics predictions, to how the panel on Match of the Day is selected!

Plus, Sky Sports NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter on Louis Rees-Zammit's chances of becoming a regular starter for the reigning Super Bowl champs, after he made the switch from Rugby to NFL.

And a closer look at the 'fractured' state of Golf - a week away from The Masters - with English pros Richard Bland and Laurie Canter on the reality of playing on the controversial breakaway LIV Golf tour.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Ian Hislop, editor of The Private Eye and team captain on Have I Got News For You sits down with Lewis for an extended conversation about political satire in the modern era of the Westminster psychodrama, and what it was like to have contestants like Piers Morgan and Boris Johnson on his show.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

In the early hours of Thursday morning Layla Moran - the only British MP of Palestinian heritage- received news she?d been longing to hear for months.

Her family had finally escape from Gaza. Through perilous crossings and treacherous check points a family of five - including a seventy year old grandmother and two young children- had walked to safety.

As Layla herself recognises their relief is starkly contrasted with the two million others who can?t escape. Today we hear that story.

And we ask why the Lib Dem?s have referred Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to the ethics adviser over questions of whether he concealed what he knew about the illegality of Israel?s war. We will discuss whether there is a case for government to answer. And where the war in Gaza goes now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Prime Minister has called the Israeli Prime Minister's actions in Gaza 'increasingly intolerable' in a phone call with Netanyahu after the deaths of three British aid workers in an Israeli airstrike.

The words are tougher than we've seen before.

But the PM is now coming under pressure to end arms sales to Israel. Will he wait for America to move first? Is he watching to see where public opinion goes? Should Keir Starmer be more forthright - as the Lib Dem leader has been - in taking the initiative and call for arms sales to end - something many in his party are desperate to see.

We speak to Zarah Sultana , the Labour backbencher who's been at the forefront of this appeal - and to former Labour front bencher Jess Philips.

Later, what time is it on The Moon and why does NASA believe we need to sort it out?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

A new law has Police Scotland saying that they'd investigate every online hate crime.

But what they've categorised as a hate crime has caused controversy. Why? And should the state decide what is and isn't a protected characteristic?

And - Israel accept responsibility and apologise for a rocket strike that's killed foreign aid workers in Gaza. It comes after a precision stirke on the Iranian consulate in Syria. What is the IDF doing - and is it ostracising their greatest allies the US even further?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This week, The Sports Agents dug into why Arsenal are still in a league of their own when it comes to the commercial success of their Women's team, how Gabby became 'obsessed' with Andy Murray and if Gareth Southgate would be a perfect fit for Man United's new owners?

And to keep you going over the extended Easter weekend Gabby & Mark also found out all about Corinthians FC - one of the finest teams in English football history, that you've probably never heard of!

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Your questions answered in a special Q&A edition of the podcast with Emily, Jon and Lewis.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Rory Symon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Forget everything you know about an exploding world population.

The sad truth is, our birthrate is plummeting globally to the point where there soon won't be enough young workers to take care of the aging population.

What happens then? Can you financially incentivise people to have kids? Should we be thinking harder about immigration?

And why does this subject - and its pronatalist rhetoric - so often become the domaine of the authoritarian right?

We'll hear from Elon, Jordan and Jacob - about why we should all be having more babies.

Plus Robert Colville and Stephen J Shaw.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Once you have revealed that China is hacking British citizens on a major and global scale, the next question is - well, what are you going to do about it?

Well this is the one the prime minister is currently pondering. He's talking about putting China on an 'enhanced' list - which basically sounds like a glorified registration. But is he prepared to risk trading links? Or shut down Confucious institutes in the UK - China's soft power - or even say no to tiktok?

Also - the Tavistock child gender identity services are shutting their doors for good this week, after the Care Quality Commission declared the care they were offering our children was 'inadequate'. We speak to the investigative journalist Hannah Barnes, who helped expose the failures at the Tavistock. And we ask where children in need of help should seek it now?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The bombing of a Moscow concert hall left at least 137 dead and even more wounded.

The regrouped ISIS - now ISIS K- have claimed responsibility even though Putin is insisting on blaming Ukraine.

Why has ISIS come for Putin? What does it tell us about the strategic alignments now dominating the Middle East, and does this act of terror bring the threat of more closer to home?

Also - another by-election looms in the marginal seat of Blackpool South as Tory MP Scott Benton resigns. And Donald Trump wins a golf course. Organised by Donald Trump.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Influential left-wing commentator Owen Jones is in News Agents HQ a day after he quit the Labour Party - despite being a member since he was 15 - on account of what he perceived to be Keir Starmer's fundamental 'dishonesty'. We ask him why he thinks that, whether Labour have lost his vote forever, and if he wants to become the left-wing's Nigel Farage.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This week, The Sports Agents took a closer look at the state of Rugby Union, reflected on Nottingham Forest becoming the latest Premier League club to suffer a points deduction, as well as, the infamous story of one, Ali Dia...

On Tuesday, Andy Burnham - Greater Manchester Mayor and furious Everton fan - certainly didn't hold back when discussing why the Premier League needs an independent regulator.

Top comedians Dara O'Briain and Josh Widdicombe were then on hand to talk about their six-part podcast series exploring the phenomenon of Ali Dia?s overnight rise to the Premier League ? for 53 minutes.

Then on Thursday, it was Rugby Union under the microscope as Courtney Lawes, Louis Rees-Zammit, Premiership CEO Simon Massie-Taylor and Wales legend Sam Warburton joined Gabby & Mark to debate the biggest threats to Rugby's future.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

At 6pm on Friday the Princess of Wales released a video statement. In it, she discusses her cancer diagnosis for the first time.

She acknowledges the difficulties facing their family in maintaining their privacy throughout her diagnosis and treatment. Will she now be left alone? And will the conspiracy theories stop?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

There's only one poll that counts and that's the actual election and that's not today. We know that, we get it, but the latest numbers from YouGov are worth looking at to see a direction of travel that might be staring us in the face.

Tonight's poll for The Times puts the Conservatives on 19 percent and Reform Party just behind them on 15. Is it conceivable that they overtake today's party of government at the general election?

And what is the demographic that is propping up the newcomer Reformistas?

Later, why is the Rwanda bill being pushed back if there is - according to the PM - a 'migrant emergency'?

And we answer the question on everyone's lips - where is Jon's favourite Amish town - and what's it called..

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Margaret Thatcher has been out of power for thirty years but this week it's started to feel like she's back in the room.

Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor, gave the agenda-setting Mais lecture to the City of London last night, setting out her vision for Labour's first term in office and invoking the spirit, if not the policies, of Thatcher.

David Lammy, her colleague, was quick to endorse both women when asked about it on the Politico podcast. Is the mention of Thatcher a way of winning over the unconvinced? Or is it a message about the radical nature of what is to come?

Later, We discuss the Rwanda plan and the absence of effective diplomacy in Gaza with former foreign secretary David Miliband.

And why has Leo Varadkar decided to quit frontline Irish politics?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Even after Kate Middleton appeared IRL at a local Windsor farm shop, the Tiktok conspiracy theories continued. Was it really Kate? Was the photo staged? Why did the video look different to the still image? On and on.

The Royals have always generated frenzied gossip. What was once shared over a neighbourly picket fence is now just dispersed online. But does that change how the Royals should respond? Should they hold their nerve or feed the beast? We talk to Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt.

Later, EU leaders have caved into the demands of European farmers by imposing higher tariffs on Ukrainian imports. Are they more scared of Putin or their own pitchfork protesters? And what will it mean for the war?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The weekend has been awash with talk of yet another leadership putsch. Is Penny Mordaunt on manoeuvres? Is Kemi Badenoch scheming? The answer is probably no - for now - but it points to a sense of inexorable crisis in a party which is only now realising the scale of the loss that may be careering down the tracks towards them.

Could enough of the parliamentary party be persuaded that more of them could survive if they replaced Rishi? And would Rishi REALLY pull the rip cord - announcing an election - if he felt that coming? We speak to the 1922 committee Treasurer, Geoffrey Clifton Brown.

Also, what is Ofcom up to? And is it running scared of GB News? We discuss.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Clips:

BBC Breakfast: Kemi Badenoch with Jon Kay

The Exploding Heads: GB News/Ofcom

This week, The Sports Agents were invited to the head offices of 'The Enhanced Games' to interview President Aron D'Souza - who wants to put on an Olympic-style event where all the athletes are permitted (even encouraged) to dope... Don't forget your popcorn for this one!

Then on Thursday, Gabby & Mark were joined by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, to discuss the role the sport is playing in Saudi 'sportswashing'.

Plus, why owners of football clubs can't seem to stop at buying just one, and why Liverpool are following suit?

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

British politics has been dominated by race this week. The big picture is that certain ideas which would once have been unsayable are now commonplace within the Conservative Party.

Sayeeda Warsi was at the centre of the Cameron modernisation project, where he sought to bring ethnic minorities into the tent. Now she?s in the wilderness and gives us a perspective of the changes which have taken place in her party. Among other things she calls some Tory ministers ?arsonists? who seek to divide and that Michael Gove should be ?nowhere near? communities and extremism policy.

And the Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to resign or be replaced by elections as he is a ?block? on the peace process. Will Biden be next to call for Israeli elections? Jon was bored at home so made a rare Friday appearance

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Michael Gove has announced today that the government is redefining extremism. But given they've taken up to 15 million pounds worth of donations from a man who said Diane Abbott should be shot, do they really have any credibility doing so this week?

Lewis interviews Keir Starmer in an exclusive for LBC and asks whether Diane Abbott has a place back in his Labour Party.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Producer: Alex Barnett

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The PM has belatedly conceded that the comments in which a Tory donor expressed his urge to 'shoot all black women' WAS actually racist.

He's still not giving the money back. No, that would be a step too far.

He praised Frank Hester's move to 'apologise' and 'show remorse'. Hester apologised only for his rudeness, we should remember, not his threatening misogynist racist language.

How does it feel to be sent out by Sunak to do the rounds - defending this stuff? And why are the men in grey suits meeting with the Prime Minister? Is this normal ? Or suspicious? Does Rishi still have control of his party - or is his authority on the wane?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Today's Tory 'was it racist?' row centres a donor who's given the Conservatives more than ten million pounds.

The Guardian scoop revealed comments he made 5 years ago - centring on the now-suspended Labour MP Dianne Abbott whom he blamed for making him 'want to hate all black women'.

Rishi Sunak has called the comments 'clearly unacceptable' but refused to call them racist.

Is there any chance he'll chose to return the money? And why is the Tory party struggling with yet another case of the 'Lee Anderson's'.

Later, an exclusive: The prison in England where MORE inmates are on drugs than are NOT. What's going wrong with our prison system? And what's the knock-on effect?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Lee Anderson has defected to the Reform Party, saying he?d done a lot of soul-searching on his political journey, and wants his country back.

He had of course already been kicked out of the Conservative Party for those ?islamist? slurs against Sadiq Khan, so when we say ?defected? we mean from being a party-less whip-less MP. Nevertheless, the move may chill his former colleagues - and the PM himself, who will wonder if the Lee he championed as his former deputy chair DOES in fact ?speak for millions around the country? and whether he will take voters with him.

Later, ?THAT PHOTO?. Why the news agencies wont touch it, and why the apology from the Princes of Wales did little to clarify. Do we owe our Royals privacy ? Or do they owe us transparency? The News Agents have a heated debate.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Welcome to The Sports Agents, a brand-new twice-weekly addition to The News Agents podcast family, hosted by Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman...

This week Gabby & Mark explored the big scandal in Formula One surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, found out a little more about Manchester City and England star Phil Foden and discussed Saudi Arabia's increasing influence in heavyweight boxing.

Here's a little flavour of what you can expect.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

There is fury surrounding a bid by the former head of CNN to buy The Telegraph and The Spectator due to the involvement of the Abu-Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI investment group

In an exclusive interview, media executive, Jeff Zucker - who is leading that group - tells us about a "serious campaign" against his bid, and that the Chair of The Spectator Andrew Neil, is a "hypocrite" in his opposition to the takeover bid, because he says Mr Neil wanted to be at the heart of the deal.

In response, Andrew Neil refuted Mr Zucker's claims about him, saying "his memory is playing tricks on him." He added: "I have made it clear I will have nothing to do with [the group] and will walk away in the unlikely event [Mr Zucker] succeeds in acquiring The Spectator.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Michelle Donelan is Rishi Sunak?s Science Secretary. She has accepted that she libelled an academic. That?s unusual. It?s even more unusual that the taxpayer is paying her libel bill.

Lewis asks, why this has come about? Discover that to some extent, as always, all roads lead to Boris Johnson. We also ask whether we need to look at this through a different lens- whether this weird episode is part of the Conservative Party?s ?Islamist? obsession.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Chancellor of the Exchequer made a fat joke about the Leader of the Opposition on the floor of the House of Commons as he delivered his Spring Budget today.

It was one of the only things he said that wasn't pre-trailed, making for an unremarkable speech about further temporary fuel duty freezes, National Insurance cuts and the creation of the Great British ISA.

Lewis has all the details with LBC's Poilitical Editor Natasha Clark and The Times' Economics Correspondent Jack Barnett.

Meanwhile, Emily has been locked in a battle with Trump's most die hard conspiracy theorist, Marjorie Taylor Green. They spent Super Tuesday in Trump's Mar-a-Lago ballroom, where the former President sped to victory.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Conservative Party have just received their worst polling results of all-time, with Ipsos now showing Tory support at just 20 points.

It's the worst Tory numbers since polling began in 1978, so Lewis picks it all apart and analyses how bad things have got for Rishi Sunak on the eve of the budget.

Later in the show we're in Washington DC with Jon and Emily for Super Tuesday.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon and Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

After everything that?s happened - the million plus deaths from Covid, the January 6th insurrection, the indictments, the law suits the debts and the sexual abuse - why are we even talking about a Donald Trump comeback?

Britain doesn't get it, most of Europe doesn't. But America does. Today, we take you -not just behind the curtain, but right into the heart of the MAGA bunker - and the strategy for 2024.

Which voters do they need? Who have they lost? And what?s the plan if Trump wins?

Later, in the least surprising news ever, the Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump MUST stay on the ballot in Colorado. What will Nikki Haley voters do once her path to the nomination closes?

And who is the third Republican nominee for President? We have the interview.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The News Agents: USA, on Global Player

We're in Richmond, Virginia for Donald Trump's last rally before he is almost certainly crowned the Republican candidate for president. But who are the voters queuing for miles to get into the sold-out event? What do they think - and what motivates them to vote for a man indicted 91 times?

We're the only foreign press able to get into the rally. The Trump team wouldn't let anyone else in. Listen to find out what it's like at the heart of MAGA America.

Click here to find us on Global Player

George Galloway has said that Keir Starmer?s woken up to his ?worst nightmare?, after the former Labour MP won the Rochdale by-election by almost 6,000 votes.

Jon and Lewis analyse Galloway?s victory, and ask what this means for Keir Starmer ahead of this year?s General Election. Is it really the nightmare scenario Galloway is making it out to be?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Clips:

GB News, George Galloway

LBC, Ellie Reeves

Cherwell, Oxford University, George Galloway

Right now the Treasury are flying more kites than you would see on top of Parliament Hill on a windy day.

This comes ahead of next week?s budget - the last before the general election.

But one policy is particularly eye-catching. It's the idea that the Tories are about to tax non-doms - the flagship Labour policy. Whether you want to call it shooting Keir?s fox or stealing his clothes, it would be an audacious move.

Also, how do the Royal family square the circle of remaining in the public eye while wanting maximum privacy at this difficult time? Couldn?t their communications be more effective?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

Liz Truss was doorstepped by the BBC in Westminster today and asked to explain why she'd been talking about the dangers of the 'deep state' at a Washington Conference over the weekend.

Keir Starmer went one step further in his Commons questions - asking Rishi Sunak why he hadn't kicked her out of the party for her 'tin hat' conspiracy theories?

Keir Starmer loves Liz Truss as he's seen polling showing just how unpopular she is with the public. He's trying to tie her travails to those of a weak leader, too scared to move against the former PM.

Later, is it the Home Secretary's job to tell Gaza protesters to go home? James Cleverly gave The Times an interview to say it was stretching police resources, and everyone already understood their message. Is that how protesting works? Is that how politics work?

We speak to the former Met Assistant Commissioner Helen King and Liberty - who's taking Suella to the High Court today.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

Clips:

BBC, Liz Truss

Sky News, Chris Philp

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, two of the UK?s best sports broadcasters, host a brand new twice-weekly podcast exploring the stories behind the sports... 

Drawing on their wealth of experience and insight, with exclusive interviews and expert analysis, Gabby & Mark tackle the big issues and explain not just what?s happening, but why. They'll also bring a healthy dose of humour when needed too.

The Sports Agents will bring you inside the greatest sporting events from around the world in what promises to be a truly memorable year of sport.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Sports Agents is a Global Player Original Podcast.

Paul Scully, former Minister for London, has given his first extended interview to The News Agents since he talked about 'no-go' areas in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham. What did he mean? And what was he trying to say about Lee Anderson?

What is it about the Tories deputy chairmen that makes them say this stuff? Today, we have a go at answering that.

Is Rishi scared of losing the voters he thinks Lee Anderson stands for? And is he right to think Lee talks for the Red Wall? Or is that just a slur in it's own right? Later, what was President Biden doing in an ice cream parlour talking about Gaza.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Clips:

X, Rosie Holt

LBC, Michael Tomlinson

BBC Radio London, Paul Scully

MSNBC, Joe Biden

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Former Deputy Tory Chair Lee Anderson was suspended from the Conservative party this weekend after accusing the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan of 'giving the capital city away to his (Islamist) mates.'

In Sadiq Khan's first extended interview, he tells the News Agents that Anderson 'practices the politics of hate' and the Tory party has shown a tacit approval for it. We also chat Rochdale and whether the SNP should get a second chance from the Speaker to hold their Meaningful Vote on a ceasefire.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Clips:

Lee Anderson with Chris Hope on GB News on Friday

Rishi Sunak on BBC Radio York this morning

Mark Harper on Nick Ferrari on LBC this morning

Sky News doorstep of Mr. Anderson this afternoon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Joe Lycett is one of the biggest comedians in Britain today. He has also, over time, become more and more political. He?s had a new show on Channel 4 this week, Joe Lycett vs Sewage, where he has tried to expose and understand one of the biggest public policy scandals of our time. In this extended conversation with Lewis, he talks about what drives him, his slow politicisation, and why arguments about ?woke? comedy, leave him cold.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Sir Paul Marshall is a Tory donor, hedge fund millionaire, co-owner of GB News and - according to his anonymous Twitter account - amplifier of far right conspiracy theories and extremist views on the Great Replacement Theory.

In today?s episode, Hope Not Hate has worked with The News Agents to ask why a front runner bidding to buy the Telegraph has been engaging with anti Muslim statements by Britain First - and has - since we first approached him - deleted hundreds of likes and retweets from his now empty account.

Sir Paul has said they are not aligned with his views and represent 'a small proportion? of his social media posts. Will the government find him a fit and proper person to own media in the UK?

Later, chaos in the Commons. What did last night?s ruckus really mean? Will the Speaker survive? Are our MPs safe ?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Why did Kemi Badenoch accuse a whistleblower of lying - in a row over compensation payouts to Post office victims?

And why isn't the Prime Minister prepared to investigate what was actually said?

Today, Keir Starmer put those questions to the government in the tone of a barrister preparing a quiet but devastating court case. Is Kemi sure she's right, even though the sacked chairman of the Post Office is fighting back? And what happens to her - the darling of the Tory right and leadership front runner - if she's proved wrong.

Later, how much power does Sue Gray wield in the Labour party? We talk to Keir Starmer's biographer Tom Baldwin.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Prince William has expressed his deep concern about the terrible human cost of the middle east conflict and expressed his desire to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible.

There's lots of head scratching going on right now: is the heir to the throne calling for a ceasefire? Is this the governments line or just the monarchy's position? Did this come from the Foreign Office? And should he be getting involved at all?

Meanwhile, as Labour finally find a way of demanding an immediate ceasefire, we talk to the SNP's Stephen Flynn who says it wouldn't have happened without pressure from them.

Later, why is Rishi Sunak quoting Eisenhower to talk to the NFU? And what is happening to England's rural vote...?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia has laid the blame for her husband's murder directly with Putin.

Few world leaders seem to disagree. There is much grave talk of 'consequences' and 'action'.

But what does that really mean? Short of Putin losing the Ukraine war, what would really hurt him enough to stop him murdering?

We talk to hugely influential Putin critic Bill Browder who tells us who the 'next Navalny' will be if we don't act now.

Later, why is Kemi Badenoch calling the former chairman of the Post Office a liar? Henry Staunton has stood by his allegations that the government was dragging its feet on Post Office compensation payouts ahead of the election. Is she really going to go to war over this?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Two more Labour wins in two more by-elections. Kingswood and Wellingborough were very safe Conservative seats, but now they've turned red.  

The Conservatives have now suffered the most by-election defeats of any government since the 1960s - so what does this mean in a General Election year?

Later, we reflect on the life of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Russian prison.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The UK is in recession - which means the economy has been shrinking for most of the last year.

What does that do to our standard of living? And what are the political choices that have to be made?

The Tories are still talking about tax cuts - even if that means more cuts to public services. Labour has ditched its mega promise of borrowing 28 billion to invest in the economy.

So what's the way out?

Later, as Putin confesses he found Tucker Carlson a bit of a soft interviewer, we discuss how you do accountable interviewing in an age where 'facts dont matter'.

In the past 7 days Sir Keir Starmer has had to face down a leak over his big policy U-turn, a policy U-turn and the suspension of two Labour candidates for anti-Israel and/or anti-Semitic comments. A third person in the room at the time is, we understand, being 'spoken to'.

It's probably not been a great week for party morale - but has any of it hit Labour's poll lead?

And will any of it translate into actual voting in the by election results tomorrow? We talk to pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common.

Later - rats, open sewage, cockroaches and drugs. Chief Inspectorate of Prisons Charlie Taylor talks us through the worst report he's ever penned on our prison system as we ask whether the justice system or the accommodation limitations dictate who is put behind bars.

A Prison Service Spokesperson said:

?The findings of this inspection are unacceptable which is why we?re taking urgent action to address the concerns raised. This includes deploying extra frontline officers to reduce violence and improve safety, undertaking refurbishments to improve living conditions, and ensuring offenders get greater access to the education and skills they need to turn their backs on crime.?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents