Podcast appearances and mentions of Hugo Rifkind

This episode was originally recorded for Times Radio on 13th November 2025.In this special bonus episode, Aidan Larkin joins Hugo Rifkind on Times Radio to discuss what happens after a major seizure and why the landmark £5.1bn crypto seizure could redefine how governments handle digital assets. In November 2025, a Chinese national dubbed the “Bit Queen” was sentenced to several years in prison for orchestrating a staggering £5.1 billion cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The case made headlines worldwide, not just for its scale, but for the questions it raises about the future of asset recovery in a digital age. Aidan and Hugo explore:What happens after billions in crypto are seizedHow governments navigate cross-border asset recoveryThe diplomatic and legal challenges of returning funds to victimsWhy this case could set a global precedent for managing digital assetsResourcesCrypto Seizures: A Turning Point for Global Asset RecoveryBBC News: Cryptoqueen who fled China for London mansion jailed over £5bn Bitcoin stashStay Connected Subscribe to Seize & Desist for all the latest insights on asset recovery. Disclaimer Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.

TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, is apparently the irrational desire to criticise the US President Donald Trump. But with his approval ratings slipping in the polls, is he in serious trouble over his handling of the economy?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final PMQs of the year, Kemi Badenoch challenges Keir Starmer on growth, taxes and claims he doesn't have the “baubles” to stop the doctors' strike. Starmer hits back, arguing that Badenoch's Christmas wish list would freeze the minimum wage...Hugo Rifkind unpacks the Commons exchanges with Josh Glancy, Stefan Boscia and Ahir Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has sued the BBC for $10 billion over an edit of his January 6th speech in a Panorama documentary. Could the corporation's survival be threatened if it doesn't settle with the US president?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Andy Burnham want to be PM? Reform UK has become Britain's largest party by membership, and Jeremy Clarkson is the latest pub owner to bar Labour MPs from his pub.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Emma Duncan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panto season hits PMQs, with Badenoch calling Starmer a “caretaker PM,” Starmer accusing her of job-saving panic, and Lindsay Hoyle asking MPs to stop the pantomime auditions.Hugo Rifkind is joined by Patrick Maguire and Andrew Hunter Murray to unpack the exchanges in the House Of Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Rayner has expressed "frustration" with slow progress delivering on workers' rights. Now she's on the backbenches, is she going to be creating problems for Keir Starmer, and could she end up as leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The think-tank that backed Keir Starmer's bid to be Labour leader has started canvassing members about potential successors - are preparations underway for a leadership change?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Cindy Yu and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage wants a “reverse takeover” of the Tory party, but he's not interested in any Reform UK-Conservative Party pact at the next election - could he lure Robert Jenrick to join Reform? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Juliet Samuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch is on a roll at PMQs, but was she right to keep the focus on what was and wasn't said in the weeks before the Budget?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Gabriel Pogrund and Guto Harri Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer says the UK is still facing consequences of Brexit vote's 'wild promises' - why is the prime minister bringing up Brexit? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister has denied that he and the Chancellor misled the cabinet, and the country, over the state of the nation's finances - has he put the question to bed?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Times Radio she is determined to remain in Number 11 Downing Street, and that she wasn't going to have her political obituary written today - how might this play out with Labour's election chances? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Colvile and Megan Kenyon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Parris and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor's plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Luke Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood's sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration have already faced backlash from Labour's backbenches, how bad will it get for the Home Secretary? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and Seb Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kemi Badenoch tells the Prime Minister he's lost control of Downing Street, and his government has "descended into civil war."Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges from Prime Minister's Questions with Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Accusations of bias have forced Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to resign from their roles at the BBC - has the job of running the corporation become almost impossible?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and Sebastian Payne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage and Rachel Reeves have both sought to be more frank with the public about the economy this week - does this herald a new era of honest politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves tries to lay the ground for difficult decisions at her Budget. But did the speech say anything new, or was Kemi Badenoch right to call it a "waffle bomb"?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform has set out its plan for the British economy, but will the sums add up? And why has Farage recycled a Nick Clegg slogan from 2011? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of today with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood says her department remains “not yet fit for purpose,” after The Times uncovered a secret report calling it dysfunctional and detached from reality. Should we be worried that we're still using that phrase, 20 years after John Reid first made it famous?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks this week's Prime Minister's Questions with Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times and comedian Gráinne Maguire.After several grooming gang victims withdrew from the inquiry process, Sir Keir Starmer vows to deliver justice — but can he restore confidence in the investigation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein's crimes and those who may have enabled them. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conservative MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat have urged Keir Starmer to designate China a top-tier threat, calling his inaction a sign of weakness - but would such a label really change anything?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Conservatives all blame each other for the collapse of the China spy case, is everyone set to lose in the blame game?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and David Runciman live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks PMQs alongside Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika live from the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.Badenoch challenges Starmer over the China spy case, but Starmer enjoys arguing over legal technicalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does an embarrassing moment for Sir Keir Starmer on stage at the Egypt peace summit reveal something about the UK's influence on the global stage?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage is preparing to drop his promise to deliver £90bn of tax cuts, saying his party will reduce public spending first. Is this a more credible position, and is it in response to Tory attacks?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Carol Lewis and Patrick Kidd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At this week's Labour Conference, Kier Starmer warned that Britain faces a 'fork in the road'. Helping Andy Zaltzman decide which way to turn are Ian Smith, Celya AB, Hugo Rifkind and Zoe Lyons.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and John Tothill Producer: Georgia Keating and James Robinson Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks Kemi Badenoch's speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to scrap Labour's tax rises and abolish stamp duty. But has she discovered her own magic money tree?Plus: Margaret Thatcher also struggled to make an impact in her first year, how do the two leaders compare? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Jenrick has been announcing a series of policies at Conservative conference, and defending comments he made about the lack of 'white faces' in an inner-city area of Birmingham. Was he just making a point about integration? Is he trying to destabilise Kemi Badenoch's leadership? And, what does Badenoch's favourite author - Terry Pratchett - tell us about her?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and James Marriott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with James Johnson of JL Partners.Kemi Badenoch has failed to make an impression on these 2024 Conservative voters so far, but which of her potential rivals do they compare to Martin Lewis? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK says Keir Starmer's attack on Nigel Farage risks inciting violence. Has Labour been guilty of playing the man, not the ball?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Robert Crampton and Phil Tinline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government says the UK is too attractive to refugees and says it will end the 'Golden Ticket' of resettlement and family reunion rights. But will it stop people crossing the channel?Plus, reaction to the attack on a Manchester synagogue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour Party Conference began with much speculation about the Prime Minister's survival. Is he out of the danger zone - and if so - for how long?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the latest Times Radio Focus Group with Tom Lubbock of JL Partners. What do these 2024 Labour voters think about Keir Starmer and the government, and will they back him again to keep out Nigel Farage? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has delivered her speech to Labour Party conference, warning of 'harsh global headwinds' and harder choices to come. Is she laying the ground for a brutal autumn Budget, and did she look like a chancellor secure in her job?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the speech with Joe Mayes and Megan Kenyon. He also speaks to Bill Esterson, chair of the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, about whether the government is making the case to the public for net zero. This bonus episode is brought to you by SSE, from the Labour Party conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Pierre Novellie, Sara Barron and Lucy Porter to break down the week in news. The panel unpack Trump's second state visit, the reserve banquet of seat fillers, foreign investment from the US, Ed Davey's Ancient Greek punishment, chimps drunk on fruit, and why Penny Mordaunt thinks it's no fun to be a Conservative anymore.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Ruth Husko, Sam Lake and Laura Major. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Andy Burnham says he's been privately urged to challenge Keir Starmer. Could the so-called King of the North return to parliament and run for leader?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Ed Davey claimed the Lib Dems were the last block against Nigel Farage's 'forces of darkness', why does he spend so much time talking about Reform UK and Donald Trump?Hugo Rifkind is joined by Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day, including Donald Trump's unproven claim that paracetamol in pregnancy increases the risk of autism, and Reform's claim that its latest migration policy will save hundreds of billions of pounds.With James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump says America owes the UK for its legacy of free speech - but why do some Republicans believe the hallmark of modern Britain is censorship? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Manveen Rana and Matthew Syed to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer's migrant returns deal with France is in disarray after a judge paused an Eritrean man's deportation hours before he was due to fly - will the one-in, one-out scheme ever get off the ground?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Alice Thomson and Robert Crampton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With unemployment on the rise, Catherine and friends want to know why Britain isn't working. Is it AI? Is it older workers taking early retirement? Or is there something bigger going on?To find out why, Catherine is joined by Hugo Rifkind, Isabel Berwick, and roving correspondent Sunil Patel - and they've got their work cut out...Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Georgie Flinn and Christina Riggs.Producer: Alison Vernon Smith Executive Producers: Lyndsay Fenner & Victoria Lloyd Sound Design: David Thomas Production Co-ordinator: Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4