Podcast appearances and mentions of Nicola Sturgeon

With Ben Jamal standing down from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, now is a good time to discuss its future direction. Survey results and discussion involving Mick Napier, Tony Greenstein, Jackie Walker, Craig Murray, Ranjeet Brar, Jonathan Coulter, Sabby Sagall and Ruth Appleton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiDF9T6qGl4 The IHRA definition of antisemitism labels those who oppose genocide as Racists. The states perpetrating the genocide then criminalise workers for speaking out against Israeli, British and US wars and genocide. THAT is its REAL role: WE MUST CHALLENGE IT! In Britain and across the “western” NATO countries, thousands of doctors, lawyers, teachers, workers and citizens are under legal attack for defending Palestine. I was suspended after criticising Israel's actions in Gaza, and the US-Israeli and British war on Iran. Police arrested me at my home, leaving my children to look after each other. This is the third time I've been targeted by the police and I have faced multiple vexatious complaints and attacks at work - all coming from the state and the zionist lobby working hand in glove with our government. The management are complicit and collaborate in creating this politically repressive environment. In every case of police and workplace harassment, it is the “IHRA definition of antisemitism” that is being used as a benchmark to adjudicate what is “legitimate speech”. The definition was designed as a data gathering tool, and was never intended to become a law, or to be used in this way. Theresa May adopted it for the UK together with Nicola Sturgeon in 2016 without any consultation. The major political parties followed suit (including Plaid Cymru, SNP, Liberal, Labour and the Greens). It was pushed on police forces, schools and colleges, and Wes Streeting has been pushing it actively into the heart of the NHS. So now we have a situation in which existing laws (Public order act, professional regulatory frameworks, university regulations and constitutions) are being interpreted in its light, and the IHRA definition is therefore being “applied” as “law” - to silence legitimate speech on Palestine, and criticism of Israeli, US and British genocide. HOW TO HELP: Donate to the fundraiser here: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/legal-challenge-against-the-ih/ Please donate and forward on. Justice depends on our ability to speak out. ______________________________________________ Subscribe! Donate! Join us in building a bright future for humanity! http://www.thecommunists.org http://www.lalkar.org http://www.redyouth.org Telegram: https://t.me/thecommunists Twitter: / cpgbml Soundcloud: / proletarianradio Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/theCommunists Odysee: https://odysee.com/@proletariantv:2 Facebook: / cpgbml Online Shop: https://shop.thecommunists.org/ Education Program: Each one teach one! http://www.londonworker.org/education... Join the struggle! https://www.thecommunists.org/join/ Donate: https://www.thecommunists.org/donate/

The conviction of former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell has sent shockwaves through Scottish politics and raised serious questions about financial oversight, leadership responsibility and public trust.In this episode of Crime Time Inc., former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the embezzlement case that dominated headlines across Scotland. Drawing on decades of investigative experience, they explore how breaches of trust develop, why embezzlement often goes undetected for years, and what warning signs organisations frequently miss.Tom and Simon compare the SNP case with real investigations from their policing careers, including thefts involving trusted employees, family-run businesses and compulsive offenders whose behaviour defied logic. They discuss the difference between crimes driven by need, greed and psychological compulsion, and analyse the extraordinary purchasing patterns revealed during the investigation.The conversation also turns to leadership accountability, internal financial controls, governance failures and the responsibilities of those entrusted with managing large organisations and public donations.In the second half of the episode, the hosts address the tragic rise in child and teenage drowning deaths across the UK. They discuss water safety, cold water shock, risk-taking behaviour among young people, and whether schools and parents are doing enough to prepare children for everyday dangers.A thought-provoking discussion on crime, trust, responsibility and the lessons that organisations and families ignore at their peril.The discussion also examines the wider implications of Operation Branchform, the investigation into Scottish National Party finances, and the questions raised about oversight during the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon. Drawing on their experience as former detectives, Tom Wood and Simon McLean provide insight into how fraud investigations develop, why financial controls fail, and what lessons organisations can learn from high-profile cases. The episode concludes with an important discussion on water safety, drowning prevention and the risks of cold water immersion.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the SNP Embezzlement Case01:20 How Embezzlement Typically Begins05:44 A Detective's Real-Life £74,000 Theft Investigation09:40 Need, Greed and Compulsive Theft16:37 The Strange Psychology of Criminal Behaviour18:45 Comparing Major Financial Crime Cases21:14 Leadership Accountability and Governance Failures23:58 Water Safety and Preventable Tragedies25:46 Why Young People Are Most at Risk28:13 The Green Cross Code and Safety LessonsAbout Crime Time Inc.Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.Two crime worlds. One podcast.New episodes released regularly throughout the season.Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a revamped Everything Compliance Shout Outs and Rants. We have a new host, Adam Turteltaub, and a new panelist, Rebecca Walker, who joins returning regulars Matt Kelly, Jonathan Armstrong, and Karen Moore for the next iteration of Everything Compliance Shout Outs and Rants. Adam thanks Tom Fox, critiques his own timing, and notes Pope Leo XIV's AI encyclical urging attention to human factors. Rebecca praises Georgetown University's Jesuit values—“men and women for others” and cura personalis—as a reminder that compliance is about values and culture, not just enforcement. Matt echoes interest in the Pope's encyclical, criticizes President Trump's comments about the Pope, and cites Amazon's warning against gaming internal AI leaderboards, arguing companies should prioritize productive outcomes over measuring AI usage. Karen describes her gym's behavior memo and criticizes the shift toward enforcing it on members. Jonathan discusses the SNP embezzlement case involving Peter Murrell and related allegations around Nicola Sturgeon, highlighting compliance lessons: segregation of duties, conflicts of interest, whistleblowers, and culture. Everything Compliance Shout-Outs and Rants is a production of the Compliance Podcast Network.

If you are worried about China taking over due to having better robots than the yanks, I got mixed messages for ya here. This was created using DeepSeek v4 Pro. Remember when DeepSeek could do the same thing as chatGPT but on shitty processors and not much RAM? All those stocks shit themselves? Oh what memories. Would have been a great time to buy NVIDIA stocks. I didn't, if you're asking....It's pretty good but it really didn't follow the instruction in the prompt that Joel Hill is Jack the Insider on the transcript. So that's a minus point. But also, this took fucking ages to generate. It's better than lots of the yankee slop but damn son this took MINUTES. So they might take over if we are patient or whatever. Enjoy the episode. ----------------------------------------------Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Hong Kong Jack return for a sprawling episode that tackles two of the biggest stories shaping politics in 2026. The pair open with the jaw-dropping Redbridge poll putting One Nation at 31% of the primary vote — a number that would all but wipe the National Party off the federal map and potentially deliver Anthony Albanese a strengthened majority government by splintering the right. Joel and Jack clash over whether culture-war grievances or material concerns are driving the surge, while drawing historical parallels to Joh for Canberra and the DLP split of the 1950s.The conversation then crosses hemispheres for a tour through UK chaos: Peter Mandelson's leaked dossier exposing a rudderless No. 10 under Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband pleading guilty to embezzling SNP donations on a surreal shopping spree of Lalique salt shakers, seven Dysons, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock, and a deeply troubling police body-cam incident that has reignited the two-tier policing debate ahead of three critical by-elections.The centrepiece of the episode is a sober, hour-long deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic and what Australia has refused to learn. The Two Jacks lay out the true death toll (perhaps 22 to 69 million globally), the devastating scale of long COVID, the vaccine rollout failures, the absurdities of hotel quarantine with rubbish bags over heads, and why governments and public health officials are desperate to avoid a Royal Commission. They close by asking whether the next pandemic will meet a population that has permanently lost trust in its leaders — and whether we'll simply repeat the mistakes of both COVID and the Spanish flu.Sport provides a lighter coda: the Carlton revival under an interim coach, James Hird's awkward candidacy at Essendon, the expanded 48-team World Cup that nobody seems excited about, and a formidable New Zealand Test side taking on England at Lord's.00:00:25 — Introduction Joel welcomes listeners to Episode 159, recorded 4 June. Today: Australian political news, a check-in on the UK, and a deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic.00:01:21 — The Redbridge Poll: One Nation at 31% The AFR's Redbridge poll: One Nation 31%, Labor 28%, LNP 20%, Greens 12%. The two-party preferred is now being calculated as One Nation versus Labor — a seismic shift in how Australian politics is measured.00:03:12 — Not Just a Protest Vote Jack argues this is real, not a re-run of Hanson's 1990s flash-in-the-pan. The South Australian state election and the Farrah by-election suggest One Nation support is durable. Joel counters that protest votes can be expressed at the ballot box and that Australians are tiring of pluralism.00:04:09 — If One Nation Succeeds, Labor Wins The cruel irony: One Nation's rise probably delivers Labor government. The National Party could simply disappear. The DLP kept the Coalition in power for decades as an anti-Labor party; One Nation may do the reverse.00:05:46 — Scrutiny and Splintering Joel notes One Nation's policies are "two-sentence fragments" and motherhood statements. When proper scrutiny arrives, the contradictions will surface. Hanson's parliamentary attendance is as poor as imaginable.00:08:22 — The Third Rail Jack argues populists succeed because they discuss what polite society won't: immigration, culture wars, welcome to country rituals. The major parties must engage these topics or cede the ground entirely.00:11:34 — Feeling Unheard The core driver, Jack contends: voters feel sneered at and silenced by mainstream politics. It's not about flag counts, it's about being listened to.00:13:50 — What Actually Drives Votes Joel pushes back: voting determinants are the household economy, migration, climate change — not culture war trivia. Culture wars "don't amount to a hill of beans" at the ballot box.00:14:51 — The DLP Parallel Both agree the One Nation phenomenon most closely resembles the DLP split of the 1950s and 60s — a right-wing fracture that delivered Labor government after Labor government.00:17:18 — The Republic Referendum Lesson Jack recalls the 1999 republic referendum: pro-republicans split between models rather than uniting, scuppering the whole project. Voters will vote their preference even knowing it helps their enemy.00:19:32 — UK Parallels: Accommodate or Fight? Significant figures in the UK Tory party are debating whether to fight Reform or reach an accommodation. Tony Abbott recently said the Liberal Party won't criticise Pauline Hanson.00:21:48 — Joh for Canberra Redux Imre Salusinszky's comparison: this is "Joh for Canberra" all over again. But Joel notes Joh's moment lasted months; One Nation's has already lasted years.00:24:08 — State Election Previews Joel predicts the Victorian state election will be chaotic and peculiar — a government that's been in power too long, an opposition that may not be up to the task, and One Nation peeling votes from safe Labor seats. NSW will give a clearer reading.00:25:44 — Hanson "Ready to Govern" — from the Senate? Pauline Hanson announced she's ready to govern. Joel asks: shouldn't she contest a lower-house seat first? Jack recalls the only precedent: John Gorton became PM while still a senator, but had to be eased into Kooyong.00:28:20 — The Mandelson Dossier: Starmer's Empty Suit Jack's read of the leaked Mandelson documents: ministers don't know what the PM wants, there's zero respect or fear of his authority. Starmer comes across as an empty chair. One minister's text: "Every meeting with Labour MPs — it's all about who can we tax to pay benefits to other people."00:30:50 — Mandelson's Legal Peril Mandelson is under police investigation for misconduct in public office. Could face charges — the seriousness depends on whether it's mere misconduct or genuine bribery for foreign interests.00:31:49 — The Nicola Sturgeon Saga Her estranged husband has pleaded guilty to embezzling roughly £400,000 in SNP donations. The shopping list: six high-end coffee machines, seven Dyson vacuums, Lalique salt and pepper shakers, Montblanc pens, Swiss watches, an iJag, part of a Volkswagen, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock parked at his 92-year-old mother's house. Nicola claims she "didn't go in the kitchen much."00:34:20 — The BBC Interview Laura Kuenssberg's forensic interview with Sturgeon — "not quite Prince Andrew, but not much better." Sturgeon has been cleared by Police Scotland, but her reputation, already damaged by the Alex Salmond trial, is now in tatters.00:35:05 — Will He Go to Prison? £400,000 is a substantial sum. With another £600,000 unaccounted for, a custodial sentence seems likely. The money was ring-fenced for a second independence referendum push.00:36:50 — Money Laundering or Conspicuous Consumption? Joel wonders if the bizarre purchases — multiple watches on the same day — were an amateur money-laundering attempt: buy goods with SNP funds, sell them quietly for cash.00:38:23 — UK By-elections: Makerfield Looms Three by-elections on 18 June, including the critical Makerfield contest. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's high-profile mayor, is the tepid favourite. Low turnout could help him return to Westminster.00:39:30 — The Body-Cam Incident A white teenager accused of racially vilifying a Sikh man was stabbed — and police arrested the bleeding victim, not the attacker. Body-cam footage shows the victim saying "I can't breathe, I've been stabbed" while officers dismiss him. Joel calls the footage "just awful."00:41:22 — Two-Tier Policing Jack traces UK policing's overcorrection: after the Macpherson/Lawrence report, guidelines were rewritten so aggressively that they've produced a pattern of questionable enforcement that devastates community trust — and plays directly into Tommy Robinson's hands.00:42:08 — NSW Police on Four Corners Joel recommends the harrowing Four Corners investigation: bashings in custody, false arrests, an officer who threw body-cam footage into Sydney Harbour, and two undercover officers jailed for a savage assault. The problem today is general duties policing, not the specialist squads of the 1980s. Some command areas are far worse than others — a leadership failure.00:44:55 — Victoria Police: Under-Resourced, Not Corrupt Joel shares an anecdote: two divisional vans for 80,000 people in outer-east Melbourne. Tough work being a police officer; even tougher being a good one.The COVID-19 Reckoning00:45:09 — Why This Matters Joel sets the frame: we parked COVID in 2023 with a hangover but never understood what we'd been through. Today's episode aims to crack that problem.00:45:51 — The True Death Toll Officially: 7 million dead. But most countries stopped testing and stopped reporting cause-of-death data to the WHO. Using excess mortality, the real toll is between 22 and 69 million — at the high end, exceeding the Spanish flu.00:47:02 — Long COVID's Shadow Roughly 400 million people globally (6% of the population) have experienced long COVID. In Australia alone, between 200,000 and 500,000 people are living with or have lived with the condition. Second infections can be worse. Emerging links to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and accelerated dementia.00:49:43 — The Collective Amnesia Governments worldwide have "a collective embarrassment" about how they handled the pandemic, Jack says. They want it in the history books and forgotten. Joel says this is a grave mistake for public trust — and for public health, given COVID is now a permanent fixture alongside flu season.00:50:50 — Why Excess Deaths Are the Only Honest Metric All other figures are "kind of made up" because attribution methods vary wildly between countries. Excess deaths remain elevated in Australia and most nations.00:51:25 — Children and COVID Bobby Kennedy Jr. removed under-18s from government-supported vaccines in the US. Joel argues this is a disastrous move given mounting evidence that childhood COVID infection leads to higher rates of long-term chronic illness.00:52:47 — Why No Royal Commission? Not just politicians protecting themselves — public health officials and much of the media wanted to avoid scrutiny of their judgments and actions during the pandemic.00:53:32 — The Media's Abdication Jack watched "a lot" of Daniel Andrews's daily press conferences. Only two journalists ever asked pertinent questions: Rachel Baxendale and Leigh Sales. Nobody asked why curfews, why beach arrests, why the disparate impact on tradies and cafe owners while the "laptop class" actually made money working from home.00:56:14 — Andrews's Immense Popularity Joel adds context: Andrews was wildly popular at the time, which partly explains the media's deference — though Jack insists that shouldn't have mattered.00:57:34 — The Curfew Nonsense Curfews were about giving law enforcement the easiest possible environment, Joel says — and should have been acknowledged as such and wound back sooner. Meanwhile, Bondi's wealthy swam en masse while Western Sydney's working-class communities were treated harshly.00:57:59 — The Vaccine Rollout Failure The Morrison government bet everything on AstraZeneca — the non-mRNA, first-available vaccine. Then rare blood-clotting issues emerged (seven deaths, mainly men aged 40–49). Meanwhile, Australia was left waiting for Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines because no other supply deals had been secured.00:59:37 — Omicron Breaks the Pandemic's Back The Omicron variant emerged from South Africa: more infectious but far less lethal. Combined with 95%+ vaccination rates among Australians over 18, it effectively ended the acute phase — though at the cost of entrenched mistrust.01:00:38 — Government Overreach and Broken Trust Jack's core criticism: governments outsourced decision-making to public health officials rather than making political judgments that balanced competing interests. Joel counters that it would have been a "bold move" for politicians with no scientific background to contradict public health advice.01:02:19 — "Just Let It Rip" Was Never an Option The three countries with the highest COVID mortality — Brazil (highest), United States (second), India (third) — were all led by populist governments that largely refused mandates. Letting it rip was devastating.01:03:27 — The ADF Quarantine Scandal Scott Morrison refused to allow ADF quarantine facilities to be used for returning travellers. Instead, people were crammed into hotels with gaps under the doors. Joel recalls the "rubbish bags over heads" episode in Victoria — dark green plastic bags as infection control.01:05:00 — The Inquiry's Recommendations Create a proper Australian CDC. Release expert advice publicly. Better national planning with clear political accountability. And critically: politicians must own the big decisions on freedoms and spending instead of hiding behind experts.01:06:01 — The Next Pandemic There will be another one. If it's a respiratory, airborne pathogen like COVID, similar circumstances will return. Are we ready? Probably not. Will we close the country again? The economic damage — unemployment hitting 7.5% in 2020 — was enormous, even if it recovered to 3.5% by pandemic's end.01:08:06 — Who Was Left Behind? The arts community was inexplicably excluded from JobSeeker and JobKeeper. Meanwhile, the "laptop class" working from home effectively got a 15% pay rise by eliminating commuting costs. Bunnings did very well; so did companies that kept JobKeeper without passing it to employees.01:11:14 — The Human Cost of Lockdowns Public housing towers in Flemington were locked down. Joel recalls one family: an African-Australian single mother with nine children in a two-bedroom commission flat, trapped. Jack calls what happened with schools "disgraceful." But Joel notes the evidence now shows childhood COVID infection has serious long-term health consequences, complicating the retrospective judgment.01:13:59 — Will We Learn Anything? Jack's bleak prediction: the next pandemic is probably far enough away that we'll take no notice of COVID's lessons and make the same mistakes. Joel agrees — we didn't learn from the Spanish flu a century ago either.01:15:51 — Malcolm Roberts and Vaccine Misinformation The One Nation senator claims 70,000 Australians died from COVID vaccines — a figure with no evidentiary support, built by misattributing excess deaths. In reality, mRNA technology is now being deployed as a cancer treatment, showing promise against bowel and pancreatic cancers.01:17:36 — Trust Destroyed If the next pandemic arrives within this generation, governments will face a population that has lost faith. If it takes 50 years, the damage may have faded. Western Australia, meanwhile, locked itself down with negligible deaths and actually loved the isolation — provided the iron ore and LNG ships kept moving.01:20:37 — The Spanish Flu Echo Joel's closing historical note: Australia's response to the Spanish flu in 1919–1921 was nearly identical to COVID — lockdown disputes, police arresting people for not wearing masks, states fighting the newly created federal Department of Health. The whole thing collapsed into acrimony the moment state rivalries flared. A century later, nothing had changed.01:21:48 — Federation as Fatal Flaw Jack adds: the three high-mortality COVID countries (US, Brazil, India) share a feature beyond populist leaders — they're all federations where central government power is limited. When "the emperor is far away and the mountains are high," coordinated pandemic response is nearly impossible.01:23:40 — No Appetite for Truth Jack's final word: nobody wants a proper inquiry. Not politicians, not public health officials, not much of the media. Joel disagrees on the importance — the pandemic's legacy still shapes how Australians think, vote, and trust.Sport01:27:40 — AFL Coaching Carousel Essendon and Carlton both need permanent coaches. Joel asks: is James Hird the right man for Essendon? Jack: 17 other clubs wouldn't give him an interview, but the Bombers may have backed themselves into a corner where appointing him is the only way out.01:28:53 — Merit vs Member Sentiment Rowan Connolly's question: would you take James Hird or John Longmire (five grand finals, one premiership, 60%+ win rate)? The answer is obvious on merit — but members and fans want the fairy tale.01:29:47 — Carlton's Astonishing Revival Three straight wins. Ranked 16th in forward-50 entries a month ago; now second. The game style is unrecognisable — no more bombing the ball to non-existent power forwards. Mitch McGovern's low, flat kick to Patrick Cripps for the match-winner against Geelong was emblematic of the transformation. Seven players aged 21 or younger are now getting games and bringing energy.01:33:18 — FIFA World Cup 2026: Nobody's Excited Expanded to 48 teams, Scotland are going — and a Scot in his 30s told Jack that neither he nor any of his mates (all doing well financially, normally first on the plane) have any interest. Ticket prices are "extraordinary." The final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — which Jack describes as "Waverley on steroids, but even more bleak."01:36:08 — Australia's Draw Socceroos face Turkey first up, then the United States. Jack suggests marketing it as "Gallipoli Round Two." Spain are favourites; England, Brazil, and Germany are in the chasing pack.01:37:06 — Cricket: England v New Zealand, First Test at Lord's Joel runs through New Zealand's likely top seven — Latham, Conway, Williamson, Ravindra, Mitchell, Blundell — noting the first four have all made Test double-centuries. "Just about the best first six in Test cricket." With O'Rourke's express pace and Henry's quality, this is a formidable Black Caps side.01:38:40 — Stump Speech & Next Week Listener mail (including an "exposé of who Jack is") held over for next episode. For the record: Hong Kong Jack's CV includes HSC at Assumption College Kilmore, a stint as a carpenter, a law degree from Melbourne University, stints at Holding Redlich and Slater & Gordon, work as a litigation and immigration lawyer, and an appointment to the Refugee Review Tribunal as a federal cabinet appointee.01:40:39 — Outro Joel thanks listeners for hanging in for an extra ten minutes. Back next week.The Two Jacks is recorded weekly. Send your questions and feedback to the show.

Nicola Sturgeon has claimed she was deceived by her ex-husband Peter Murrell who pled guilty having embezzled tens of thousands of pounds of SNP money. Financial infidelity has become a top reason behind couples divorces. Alice Wright from The Times joins Michael Simmons to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's edition of the News Review on the PRmoment podcast, host Ben Smith, is joined by industry heavyweights Mark Borkowski and Angie Moxham to dissect one of the most significant political crisis management events of the year: Nicola Sturgeon's high-stakes sit-down interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC. Following her estranged husband Peter Murrell's recent guilty plea to embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP, the former First Minister faced an intense 55-minute interrogation aimed at shifting the narrative from political complicity to personal betrayal.Ben kicks off the discussion by questioning whether the interview succeeded in separating Sturgeon's personal reputation from the unfolding financial scandal of the party she led for nearly a decade. Mark Borkowski offers a sharp critique of the crisis communications strategy, noting that while Sturgeon's performance was emotionally raw—particularly when discussing a £425 necklace bought with stolen funds—it ultimately struggled under the weight of incredulity. He argues that her core defense—claiming she had no "conscious memory" of a massive motorhome parked outside her mother-in-law's house—strained public belief, leaving the "brand" of Sturgeon severely damaged despite her formidable media skills.Angie Moxham shifts the lens toward the gender dynamics and long-term reputational impact. Moxham observes that Sturgeon deliberately weaponized a highly relatable narrative: the trope of a successful woman being unfairly blamed for the hidden, fraudulent actions of the man in her life. While Angie acknowledges that this framing could resonate strongly with a core segment of the public and female voters, she questions whether it can truly repair the massive trust deficit currently facing the SNP. Moxham analyzes how the "personal vs. political" mashup plays out for independent brand survival, noting that Sturgeon's insistence that she is “serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit” effectively positions her as the primary victim, eclipsing the independence donors whose money was actually taken.The panel agrees that while the BBC gave Sturgeon the necessary space to outline her trauma and bewilderment, the interview highlights the near-impossible task of separating a leader's legacy from systemic organizational failure. Ultimately, the review concludes that while Sturgeon successfully reminded the public of her formidable communication prowess, the sheer volume of high-value goods involved makes an absolute reputational recovery unlikely.Finally, Ben closes the segment with an important industry notice, urging listeners to submit their entries for the upcoming Creative Moment Awards before the final entry deadline on June 19th.You can watch the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg Interview to see the exact moment Nicola Sturgeon addresses the embezzlement scandal and discusses the personal toll it has taken on her life.

"Pure cold rage": Will Nigel Farage regret his intervention over the murder of Henry Nowak?Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss whether Farage is pandering to the far right, or if he has a point about "two-tier policing" in Britain.And, as Nicola Sturgeon attempts to distance herself from her estranged husband Peter Murrell – Ruth asks if her legacy is now forever tarnished.Nicola Sturgeon has said she was “completely cleared and exonerated” by police and that she had been “misled” and “deceived” by Murrell.For a full list of candidates standing in Makerfield, visit the Electoral Commission website.We are happy to clarify that initiated Sikh women, like initiated Sikh men, are required to wear a kirpan as part of the religion. Whether a Sikh carries a kirpan depends on their initiation status and not on gender.And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth, and Harriet on YouTube.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

A new Netflix documentary follows the final stage of Rafael Nadal's tennis career. The series is the latest high-profile sports documentary made for a streaming platform. Zachary Heinzerling, director of Rafa, outlines how the film was made and the level of access his team received. Minal Modha, senior research director at Ampere Analysis, provides context on the growing business of sports documentaries.In Scotland, Peter Murrell's guilty plea to embezzling funds from the SNP has renewed attention on the reporting that first raised questions about the affair. John Ferguson, political editor at the Sunday Mail, reflects on his own journalism. Laura Kuenssberg explains how she secured the first broadcast interview with Nicola Sturgeon since her estranged husband's conviction.CBS News is facing upheaval following changes in leadership and the departure of several senior figures. The latest developments centre on the dismissal of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley after public criticism of the network's direction. Michael Grynbaum, media correspondent at The New York Times, outlines the story.Presenter: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Sound engineer: Volodymyr Muzyczka

Fast cars, luxury watches – and, of course, that motorhome: the list of what former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds is dizzying. Severin Carrell reports.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party. Which is quite a sentence, even by the standards of modern politics, where the bar is now lying somewhere in a ditch wearing a hi-vis jacket.In this episode of Mark and Pete, we look at the Peter Murrell SNP scandal, the political fallout for Nicola Sturgeon, and the bigger question facing Scottish nationalism: how did a party that wanted to govern an independent Scotland fail to notice what was happening inside its own finances?This is not an episode claiming Nicola Sturgeon committed a crime. She denies knowledge of Murrell's actions and has been cleared by police. But politics is not only about criminal guilt. It is also about responsibility, judgement, leadership, culture, and whether the people at the top were really as in control as they claimed to be. And that, frankly, is where the story becomes more interesting, and rather less comfortable.We discuss the SNP's long-standing image as the clean, competent alternative to Westminster, the collapse of that moral authority, Operation Branchform, the infamous motorhome, party trust, Scottish independence, political accountability, and the strange spectacle of a nationalist movement damaged not by Westminster oppression, but by its own internal chaos.There is also a Bible verse, naturally, because Mark and Pete are not here merely to gawp at the wreckage like political pigeons. Proverbs says, “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” That seems uncomfortably apt.So what did Nicola Sturgeon know? What should she have known? And what does the Peter Murrell embezzlement case tell us about the SNP, Scottish politics, and the danger of confusing political confidence with actual competence?A sharp, Christian, sardonic look at one of the biggest political scandals in recent Scottish history.

The BBC's Laura Kuenssberg joins Ros and Katie to discuss her exclusive interview with Nicola Sturgeon, the first since her estranged husband pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000 from the SNP. John Ferguson, Political Editor at the Sunday Mail in Scotland, also shares his experience of reporting on the story from the very beginning. Also on the programme, director Zach Heinzerling discusses how he secured unprecedented access to tennis player Rafael Nadal for his Netflix documentary Rafa. Minal Modha from Ampere Analysis assesses whether we are in the middle of a sports documentary boom. Plus, analysis of the ruptures in CBS' 60 Minutes newsroom by Michael Grynbaum from The New York Times.

Laura Webster, editor of The National, returns to the Talk Media hot seat as she and Stuart Cosgrove get behind the big stories of the week, talking more about the Peter Murrell scandal - specifically about the media's treatment of Nicola Sturgeon, touch on the ban on Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker entering the country and ask if degrees are even worth the paper they're printed on... All this and more in your FREE AD-SUPPORTED version of Talk Media. Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at ⁠⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia⁠⁠

Daily Record Political Editor, Paul Hutcheon, is joined by the Scottish Express Editor, Ben Borland, and the Sunday Mail's John Ferguson to discuss the latest revelations on Peter Murrell pleading guilty to embezzling SNP funds as party chief executive. The panel also look at Nicola Sturgeon's 'car crash' BBC interview and assess whether John Swinney is on his way out as SNP leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, the Prime minister says he “felt sick” as he watched the body cam footage of a student who was handcuffed as he lay dying.The 18-year-old Southampton student Henry Nowak was handcuffed after Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to police at the scene of the 2025 stabbing, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack. Shabana Mahmood described the murder as an "an act of pure evil” and described bodycam footage of officers handcuffing Nowak as "disturbing and tragic".Adam and Joe are joined by BBC News' special correspondent Lucy Manning to go through the details of this case.And, Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, had the details of his embezzlement laid out in court. Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period to buy a string of goods including soaps, a motorhome and… mug warmers? Adam and James discuss.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The team record a special episode from the Hay Festival. Featuring Tony Blair, Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon, and all your other - favourite? - characters from the news. 

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Bridgend Nuffield employee wins 149,000 at employment tribunal UK heatwave ends as cooler temperatures and rain forecast Sturgeon tells BBC Im serving a sentence for crime I didnt commit KSI quits YouTube collective Sidemen after 13 years Woman dies trying to rescue dog from sea in Thornton Cleveleys Israel seizes castle in Lebanon as it expands ground offensive Arsenal fans line London streets in Premier League victory parade Cancel it, Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival Nicola Sturgeon was close to tears in my interview but faces more questions Downpatrick Shot fired as officer is struck by stolen police car

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Cancel it, Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival Downpatrick Shot fired as officer is struck by stolen police car Sturgeon tells BBC Im serving a sentence for crime I didnt commit Israel seizes castle in Lebanon as it expands ground offensive KSI quits YouTube collective Sidemen after 13 years Nicola Sturgeon was close to tears in my interview but faces more questions Woman dies trying to rescue dog from sea in Thornton Cleveleys Arsenal fans line London streets in Premier League victory parade Bridgend Nuffield employee wins 149,000 at employment tribunal UK heatwave ends as cooler temperatures and rain forecast

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv UK heatwave ends as cooler temperatures and rain forecast Cancel it, Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival Bridgend Nuffield employee wins 149,000 at employment tribunal Woman dies trying to rescue dog from sea in Thornton Cleveleys Arsenal fans line London streets in Premier League victory parade KSI quits YouTube collective Sidemen after 13 years Sturgeon tells BBC Im serving a sentence for crime I didnt commit Nicola Sturgeon was close to tears in my interview but faces more questions Israel seizes castle in Lebanon as it expands ground offensive Downpatrick Shot fired as officer is struck by stolen police car

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Nicola Sturgeon was close to tears in my interview but faces more questions Downpatrick Shot fired as officer is struck by stolen police car Cancel it, Trump says after artists drop out of US Freedom 250 festival KSI quits YouTube collective Sidemen after 13 years UK heatwave ends as cooler temperatures and rain forecast Bridgend Nuffield employee wins 149,000 at employment tribunal Israel seizes castle in Lebanon as it expands ground offensive Sturgeon tells BBC Im serving a sentence for crime I didnt commit Woman dies trying to rescue dog from sea in Thornton Cleveleys Arsenal fans line London streets in Premier League victory parade

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

Monday has come around again. Andy and Seán react to Nicola Sturgeon's headline interview with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday in light of her estranged husband's admission to embezzling funds from the SNP, as well as to the news that Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has been barred from entering the UK.Subscribe to How to Rebuild Britain now: https://linktr.ee/howtorebuildbritain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia Hartley-Brewer breaks down what hundreds of bombshell texts, WhatsApps, and emails are expected to reveal about Peter Mandelson's controversial appointment as UK Ambassador to the United States. Also under discussion is Nicola Sturgeon's BBC interview in which she claims to be serving a sentence for a crime she did not commit. Julia and former Conservative government adviser Claire Pearsall question the idea that Sturgeon knew nothing about her husband Peter Murrell embezzling £400,000 from the SNP — including an £80,000 Jaguar, a £125,000 camper van, and 108 loo rolls bought the day before Sturgeon told the nation not to stockpile.Plus: the Hague rules the UK does NOT have to pay Rwanda £100 million. Was the £700 million Rwanda scheme a catastrophic waste of your money?And Tory plans for benefit ration cards for criminals — sensible policy or political fantasy?Then, political commentator James Mathewson joins for a fiery on-air clash over trans rights, Donald Trump, Reform UK, and whether James Murray is a coward for finally admitting that trans women are not women.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Powerful Communication Podcast, host Colin Kelly from Comsteria unpacks the vital differences between effective leadership and damaging defensiveness. While former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was highly praised for her empathetic and clear communication during the COVID-19 lockdown, her reaction to questions regarding the SNP's finances in August 2021 highlights a critical pitfall for leaders. Colin discusses why leaders must avoid becoming defensive when questioned by their own team, and how dismissive behaviour can slowly decay a leader's hard-earned reputation. Key Takeaways: The dual sides of leadership: The stark contrast between Sturgeon's widely praised lockdown leadership and her defensive handling of internal SNP finance questions. The cost of defensiveness: Why humility and listening to your team are better crisis management tools than scoffing at internal concerns. The danger of dismissiveness: How defensive behavior slowly builds up over time to destroy a leader's public image and alienate supporters. Accountability: Why leaders shouldn't be held accountable for the actions of others, but will always be judged on their own communication. Upgrade Your Communication Skills: Also in this episode, hear the latest updates on Comsteria's summer of training. Visit comsteria.co.uk/summer to book short, 2-hour webinars on smartphone video training, storytelling, AI, presentation skills, running successful consultation events and more. And if you want an outsider's perspective on how you or your organisation comes across, Comsteria is here to help.

It's a controversy which has been hanging over the SNP for years - but on Monday former chief executive, Peter Murrell, admitted to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. On this episode of Newscast, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon sits down with Laura for her first interview since her estranged husband pleaded guilty. Sturgeon, who was earlier arrested and released without charge, discusses what she knew, defends her handling of concerns about party finances, and describes how the revelations have impacted her personally.If you would like to watch the interview, it's also available on BBC iPlayer.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Laurie Kalus and Paul Twinn. The planning producer was Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

After Laura's exclusive interview, she's joined by Henry and Joe to discuss what Nicola Sturgeon had to say about her estranged husband Peter Murrell's guilty plea to embezzling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the SNP - as well as the political and public reaction to her words.Hear the full length interview on the previous episode of Newscast.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.The presenter was Laura Kuenssberg and Joe Pike. It was made by Jon Bithrey with Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has insisted she knew nothing about her estranged husband's crimes, after his admission of embezzlement. Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to spending more than £400,000 of Scottish National Party funds. In other news, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has ordered his troops to advance further into Lebanon as Israel fights the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah; and thousands of Arsenal fans have filled the streets of north London to celebrate winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

It's been a week where, 90 days into the conflict and ceasefire stand-off with Iran, both Tehran and Washington are insisting time is on their side – each claiming the other needs a deal more urgently. Pressure is growing on the Trump administration with soaring energy prices and midterm elections approaching, while Iran is reportedly losing huge oil revenues with tankers backed up in port.

With conflicts in the middle east at a crucial inflection point, is Netanyahu about to alienate his few remaining international allies with even more brazen bloodshed? Plus: After her estranged husband admitted to embezzling money to “bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford”, we ask what Nicola Sturgeon knew, and when? Can AI improve your mental health? The panel on BBC Question Time provided some unexpected answers… And finally, Chinese people account for a fifth of the global population, but how many individuals can you name? We highlight 3 you ought to know… With Michael Walker, Banseka Kayembe, & Laura Webster.

Ian Collins reacts as Youth worklessness dominates tonight, as Milburn warns one million young Britons are now outside education, employment or training. New analysis from The Centre for Social Justice links the crisis to rising non-EU recruitment, especially in retail and hospitality entry-level roles. Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon says Peter Murrell's SNP embezzlement admission has left her betrayed, deceived, and publicly engulfed.Wake up with Talk Breakfast in full on YouTube, DAB+ radio, Samsung TV Plus or the Talk App on your TV from 6am every morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick, fill this in, there's no time to explain: http://bit.ly/noncensored-survey.This week, Harriet Langley-Swindon and Producer Martin talk to SNP accountant Scott Andrews about how everything Peter Murrell claimed was a legitimate business expense; they also hear from Doctor Five, a meteorologist from the future who predicts nothing but sunshine in the years to come!! Finally, Producer Martin continues intervestigation (a cross between an interview and an investigation) into the world of "preppers" - people who are preparing for the end of the world - as he travels deep into the woods with the man known only as "Colllin Maxxxx".Our Patreons, will be getting a bonus interview with Terry Connors, a man who has read all of the terms and conditions. Patreons also get every episode early and without adverts, access to the full video of all our interviews, as well as the Patreon-exclusive monthly Time For Questions podcast, where we answer your questions, so get over to Patreon.com/NonCensored and sign up for one or two pounds a week to support the show, and make it possible for us to pay our guests. (If you don't want to subscribe, but do want to give us a one-off amount, all the Patreon-exclusive videos are available for individual sale.)Please follow our social media accounts!Instagram: @noncensoredpodcastTikTok: @noncensoredpodWith thanks to Rosie Holt, Brendan Murphy, Eshaan Akbar, Tom Neenan, John-Luke Roberts, Mark Davison, Robert Gilbert and Ed Morrish.Rosie's sitcom, Crossing The Floor, is available now on BBC Sounds. Her play, Churchill's Urinal, runs at the King's Head Theatre from the 13th May to the 6th June (tickets here) , and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (tickets here), where she will also be doing a new character comedy/stand-up show, The Illegal Aliens Have Landed (tickets here).Brendan is taking a brand new show, Indy, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. It's a three-man retelling of Indiana Jones, and tickets are available here.Eshaan has started a new, live podcast called The Early Evening Show, every Sunday evening on YouTube, and his latest stand-up special, Fool Moon, is also available on YouTube.Tom is the co-host of the Doctor Who podcast A Wheezing Groaning Sound, and is taking his new show, Portrait Of A Tom As A Young Neenan to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - tickets are available here.John-Luke is the host of Sound Heap With John-Luke Roberts, and is taking his new show, What I Talk About When I Run About, Talking to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - tickets are available here.Mark is half of the sketch team The Exploding Heads, who put sketches out on social media, like their Instagram account.Ed also produces Sound Heap With John-Luke Roberts, an award-winning improvised sketch show that features many NonCensored regulars like Rosie, Brendan, Will, Sooz and Joz.Show photography is by Karla Gowlett and design is by Chris Barker. Original music is by Paddy Gervers and Rob Sell at Torch and Compass.NonCensored is a Lead Mojo production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beat the system with TallyMoney. Gold you can spend. Discover more here: https://click.tallymoney.com/A64P/df08xa5e #adIn this episode of Chopper's Political Podcast, Christopher Hope discusses the political fallout following Peter Murrell's conviction and the continuing questions surrounding former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP leadership.Former Scottish Daily Telegraph editor Alan Cochrane reflects on his experiences covering Scottish politics and examines how the controversy could affect trust in the SNP and the wider independence movement.Earlier in the programme, former Tony Blair adviser Peter Hyman joins Christopher to discuss Labour's future, Tony Blair's intervention on Keir Starmer's government, and a new report into the growing number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs).The purchase of gold and investment in bullion is not FCA regulated nor do they benefit from the protections of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The value of your investment can go down as well as up. Consider the risks involved before choosing to invest. This card is issued by Transact Payments Limited pursuant to licence by Mastercard International Incorporated #SNP #NicolaSturgeon #UKNews #UKPolitics Keep up to date with GB News at gbnews.com or on X @GBNEWSBecome a Friend of GB News: gbnews.com/friend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To allow genocide to continue: those who oppose genocide must be silenced, intimidated, threatened, repressed. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/legal-challenge-against-the-ih/ The IHRA definition of antisemitism labels those who oppose genocide as Racists. The states perpetrating the genocide then criminalise workers for speaking out against Israeli, British and US wars and genocide. THAT is its REAL role: WE MUST CHALLENGE IT! In Britain and across the “western” NATO countries, thousands of doctors, lawyers, teachers, workers and citizens are under legal attack for defending Palestine. I was suspended after criticising Israel's actions in Gaza, and the US-Israeli and British war on Iran. Police arrested me at my home, leaving my children to look after each other. This is the third time I've been targeted by the police and I have faced multiple vexatious complaints and attacks at work - all coming from the state and the zionist lobby working hand in glove with our government. The management are complicit and collaborate in creating this politically repressive environment. In every case of police and workplace harassment, it is the “IHRA definition of antisemitism” that is being used as a benchmark to adjudicate what is “legitimate speech”. The definition was designed as a data gathering tool, and was never intended to become a law, or to be used in this way. Theresa May adopted it for the UK together with Nicola Sturgeon in 2016 without any consultation. The major political parties followed suit (including Plaid Cymru, SNP, Liberal, Labour and the Greens). It was pushed on police forces, schools and colleges, and Wes Streeting has been pushing it actively into the heart of the NHS. So now we have a situation in which existing laws (Public order act, professional regulatory frameworks, university regulations and constitutions) are being interpreted in its light, and the IHRA definition is therefore being “applied” as “law” - to silence legitimate speech on Palestine, and criticism of Israeli, US and British genocide. *How to help*: £30,000 needed for the first stage of the legal challenge

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the essay from the Ghost of Labour Past, Tony Blair, saying that Labour has lost its way. While he is right about some things, the essay has gone down like a lead balloon with many in the party, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting laying into him. Ahead of the Makerfield by-election, Labour is in a holding pattern. Whoever does succeed Keir Starmer will face a challenging landscape, to say the very least. Peter Murrell, who was at the heard of Scotland's governing party for 15 years or so, has admitted to embezzling £400,000. The estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Murrell's case raises questions about her judgement and perhaps explains why she resigned so suddenly. Alan Milburn's "lost generation" report shows that today's young people face a perfect storm. Being detached from the labour market could harm them for the rest of their lives. But the report is not likely to find much sympathy within the Starmer government. Nor is there much in it to give young people hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are all politicians liars, shysters & con men? STARMER, BLAIR, STURGEON, REFORM SPAT  #JonGaunt #jongauntTV #live #KeirStarmer #TonyBlair #NicolaSturgeon #SNP #ReformUK #NigelFarage #AndyBurnham  Is British politics nothing more than a rigged circus?  Today, we're diving into the absolute chaos that is the "State of the Nation." From the corridors of Westminster to the SNP's motorhome, the establishment is crumbling, and the British people are being left behind. Today's Battleground: The Coronation Scam: A tiny constituency is about to hand-pick our next PM. Why are we being denied a General Election? The public is screaming for a vote, but the elites are clinging to power.  Blair vs. Starmer: The ghost of New Labour is back. Why is Tony Blair suddenly criticising "Two-Tier Keir"? Is the master of spin trying to distance himself from a sinking ship?  Sturgeon's SNP "Blind Spot": Nicola Sturgeon claims she had no idea about the SNP's finances. How do you miss an £80k Jag or a £130k motorhome on the driveway? Is it incompetence or a calculated con? The Many Faces of Andy Burnham: From "Man of the People" to Brexit flip-flopper. Burnham has more positions than the Kama Sutra—can we trust a man who changes his mind as often as the Town Hall clock?  Reform UK Infighting: While the country burns, Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe are scrapping like kids in a playground. If Reform can't unite to defeat Starmer, what hope do we have? It's time to stop the games.  Join Jon Gaunt LIVE as he tears into the liars, shysters, and con men running this country into the ground. JOIN THE CONVERSATION LIVE AT FIVE! Call in, comment, and let your voice be heard. Is it time for a total political revolution?  Jon Gaunt, jongauntTV, live, State of the Nation, Keir Starmer, Tony Blair, Nicola Sturgeon, SNP scandal, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Rupert Lowe, Andy Burnham, General Election Now, British politics, political circus, UK government  #JonGaunt #jongauntTV #live #StateOfTheNation #KeirStarmer #TonyBlair #NicolaSturgeon #SNP #ReformUK #NigelFarage #AndyBurnham #GeneralElection #UKPolitics #TwoTierKeir #GuyFawkes This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

Tony Blair has dropped a political bombshell on Keir Starmer's desk. In a scathing 5,700-word essay, the former Prime Minister and three-time election winner says Labour has no coherent plan to fix Britain, is governing from a "soft left comfort zone," and will lose the next general election unless it ditches net zero, slashes the welfare bill, stops the boats, and stops pretending that swapping leaders is the same as changing course.Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who finds remarkably little to disagree with in Blair's brutal assessment, despite their different parties. He breaks down exactly where this government went wrong — arriving with a historic landslide on just 33% of the vote and then standing completely still. No plan. No direction. Just a budget that hammered small businesses with national insurance hikes, a soaring minimum wage, and crippling business rates — the very engine room of British jobs and growth.IDS also reflects on his own record reforming welfare under Universal Credit — cutting between £28 and £32 billion from the budget and delivering the lowest number of workless households since records began — and why Labour's half-hearted attempts to repeat that are doomed to fail.Also: the Makerfield by-election is descending into farce, with Reform and the newly formed Restore Britain tearing chunks out of each other while Andy Burnham eyes the prize. Is this just a parade of oversized egos? Plus, Nicola Sturgeon and the motorhome that apparently nobody saw — for two years, on her mother-in-law's driveway.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down a bombshell week in Scottish politics.Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzlement from the SNP. What does this mean for the party, The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and trust in politics in general?John Swinney has also appointed his new Scottish Cabinet, was his new slimmed down top team the right way to go?How will Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins perform in their new Holyrood roles.How will Ivan McKee do after being promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Public Service reform? You can listen to our 2025 interview with him here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EO5bkEpwRRPpjnYeOL81I?si=-YP5RgaGSAKtH_d3RoVaMQAnd what does Tony Blair's intervention this week mean for the UK Labour Party, is it time to start listening to the former Prime Minister? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Peter Murrell, the SNP's erstwhile former chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, now behind bars, our team look at the implications of an outrageous scandal. Plus, the latest on the Burnham by-election circus and a policy discussion on social media bans and the coming wave in politics here and in the US - the backlash against big tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daily Record Deputy Political Editor Chris McCall is joined by Sunday Mail's Dan Vevers and Scottish Express Editor Ben Borland on the Planet Holyrood podcast to discuss Peter Murrell pleading guilty to embezzling SNP funds as party chief executive and what it means for John Swinney, Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP party members.   First Minister John Swinney claims there is 'no need' for a Holyrood inquiry into Peter Murrell and asks 'what more do we need to look into' - but taxpayers may disagree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Murrell, the SNP's former chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband, has admitted embezzling £400,000 in party funds. The guilty plea has revived questions about what senior figures in the SNP knew, how long the scandal had been going on, and what happens next. To discuss the story, including some of the ridiculous purchases including a couple of hairdryers (for a bald man) and £2600 salt and pepper shakers, James Heale and Michael Simmons join Megan McElroy.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, has admitted to embezzling over £400k of party funds in order to fund his “lavish lifestyle” - using the money to buy everything from luxury watches and fountain pens to a motorhome.Camilla and Tim speak to the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, Jackie Baillie MSP, who says both Sturgeon herself and the SNP leader and Scotland's first minister John Swinney have questions to answer about what they knew at the time.Elsewhere, with Restore deciding to field a candidate in the Makerfield by-election and sexist tweets posted by Reform's candidate Robert Kenton coming to light, are Nigel Farage's chances of beating Andy Burnham slipping away?Producers: Emma Williams and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleEditor: Camilla TomineyHighlightsWhat did Nicola Sturgeon know and not know about Murrell's spending habits?Will Restore end up splitting the vote on the right in Makerfield? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins unpacks the latest as Nicola Sturgeon faces mounting pressure after Peter Murrell admitted embezzling SNP funds, intensifying scrutiny over party finances. New analysis suggests Tory-Reform cooperation could reshape dozens of councils, despite both leaders rejecting formal Right-wing coalitions. Baroness Casey says grooming-gang victims were failed, warningI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.Wake up with Talk Breakfast in full on YouTube, DAB+ radio, Freeview 280, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus or the Talk App on your TV from 6am every morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000 from SNP party funds. That money was used for four coffee machines worth £9,000, £2,000 on salt and pepper shakers, an £80,000 Jaguar, and a motorhome parked on his mother's driveway. Sturgeon claims she knew absolutely nothing about where the money came from.Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Tom Slater, editor of Spiked, to unpick whether that defence is credible. Julia is unconvinced. For a couple who travelled to work together, jointly led the SNP for years, and were legally responsible for signing off the party accounts, the "I saw nothing" response needs to be fully investigated.Also: two teenage boys convicted of rape are spared custodial sentence, despite overwhelming evidence — including footage they filmed themselves. During sentencing, the judge said he wanted to avoid unnecessarily criminalising them. The Attorney General Lord Hermer has now referred the case to the Court of Appeal, but as Julia and Tom argue, the real problem lies deeper, within the sentencing guidelines themselves, which appear to treat youth, low IQ, and ADHD as excuses.And with the Makerfield by-election looming, polling expert Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde, joins Julia to break down why this is no ordinary by-election. With Andy Burnham's personal vote, a resurgent Reform UK, and Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain potentially splitting the right-wing vote, the result is likely to pave the way to a new Prime Minister. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Kenyon, Reform's candidate in Makerfield, was a week on from defending his Facebook Nazi friend when things got ugly. Over the sunny bank holiday weekend old tweets resurfaced showing not only his utterly creepy views about women but also his original anti-Brexit stance. And yes, you can guess which one is the real headache for Reform. Polls suggest they are currently in second place behind Andy Burnham, with the even harder right Restore party snapping at their heels and threatening to eat into the vote. So is it time to take action? Or just dig in behind their candidate?A Reform UK spokesman said: “We fully back Cllr Kenyon. He is an excellent, local candidate who we are confident will be a superb MP for Makerfield."Later, questions for Nicola Sturgeon resurface over her “lack of curiosity“ surrounding her convicted ex husbands ten year spending spree of stolen funds. Is First Minister, John Swinney, in the firing line too?The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, has been remanded in custody after admitting embezzling more than 400 thousand pounds from the party, over a period of 12 years. The estranged husband of the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be sentenced next month. Also: The UK records its all-time hottest May temperature. The Pope warns about the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence. Man City bids farewell to Pep Guardiola. And: Scientists recognise tiny blue octopus from the Galapagos.

Jerry spoke to Ned O’Sullivan, chair of Listowel Writers Week, about this year’s event

From a working class girl in Ayrshire, fuelled by teenage rage at Margaret Thatcher, to becoming the first female First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has one of the most extraordinary political journeys of our time. And now, for the first time, she's telling it on her own terms. In this chat with Josh recorded live at the Aye Write Book Festival in Glasgow, Nicola opens up about the crippling imposter syndrome that followed her all the way to the top, and how she learned to turn that inner voice from a handicap into a superpower. She talks candidly about navigating a world built for men, the double standards, the authority gap, and why Boris Johnson deliberately messes up his hair before going on camera. She reflects on the heartbreak of the Scottish independence referendum and what that taught her about failure, her deeply personal decision to speak publicly about her miscarriage, and the unfounded rumours about her private life that spread from social media all the way to her parents' front door. She also shares what it was really like to have audiences with the late Queen, meet Hillary Clinton on a 10 out of 10 hangover, and go clubbing at university with a certain Gerard Butler. And after a lifetime of speaking for a government, a party, and a country, she talks about what it finally feels like to speak only for herself. P.S If you are looking for even more Great Chat, Josh Smith's audiobook ‘Great Chat: Talk To Anyone, Make New Connections, Improve Your Relationships'  is available on Spotify, free for premium subscribers. Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1HH55EZsUSYtajczP6yjjJ?si=0b3ec62de57148f9⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Chancellor will deliver the annual Mais lecture today and is expected to focus on closer alignment with the EU, AI and improving Britain's economic geography ('levelling up' in all but name). While her comments on Europe might gain the most headlines, we're more curious about what she will say over AI – given the current geopolitical context. Given the energy requirements of AI, the Iran crisis has only further exposed the holes in Britain's energy policy – can Rachel Reeves convince Ed Miliband to adapt his policies? And is this about the Chancellor's political headroom as much as the economic?Plus: President Zelensky is in town to sign a defence pact with the UK, while Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yusuf are expected to give their final speeches in the Scottish Parliament before standing down as MSPs. Tim Shipman and Michael Simmons join Patrick Gibbons to reflect on their legacies.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we focus on the Iran war; the death of Khamenai;  Iranian celebration; Western protests;  Mothin Ali;  the EU reaction; Rory Stewart and Alaister Campbell; Simon Sebag Montefiore;  German train rules changed after migrant killing;  Immigrant gets sex change treatment on the NHS; the Manchester byelection; Tim Stanley;  Leeds fans boo Ramadan break in match;  Terror attack in Texas; Feedback; Feminist Glaciology; West Midlands Police; Your Party goes for gender inequality; JK Rowling v Nicola Sturgeon; Christian support for the SNP declines; Hamit Coskun wins Islamic blasphemy case; Christian persecution in Ethiopia, Yemen, and Pakistan; Andy Bannister, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Islam; and the Last Word - Psalm 72. with music from Neil Sedaka; Vahid Norouzi; Shania Twain; Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sovereign Grace. 

Kemi Badenoch is the Conservative MP for North West Essex and the Leader of the Opposition. Since winning her seat in 2017, she has held cabinet positions as Minister of State for Equalities under Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for International Trade under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. She became leader of the Conservative Party in 2024 after Rishi Sunak's resignation and is the first black person to lead a political party in Britain. Her Nigerian parents came to Britain for medical treatment and Kemi was born in a private hospital in Wimbledon in January 1980. Her parents returned with their newborn daughter, and she was brought up in Nigeria in an affluent suburb of Lagos. After a series of military coups and economic downturns, her family, along with many other middle-class families in Nigeria saw their wealth decline and Kemi was sent to London to study for her A levels.Instead of following her parents into medicine, she chose to pursue Computer Systems Engineering and went to Sussex University. A well-paid career in IT followed and she joined the Conservative Party aged twenty-five where she also met her husband, Hamish. Her first attempt at becoming an MP was in 2010 in Dame Tessa Jowell's former constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood constituency in London. She finished third behind the Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates.In 2017, she was selected for the Saffron Walden seat and became an MP.She lives in London with her husband and three children and divides her time between Westminster and her constituency of North West Essex.DISC ONE: The Story of Tonight - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Okieriete Onaodowan, Daveed Diggs, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton DISC TWO: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson DISC THREE: Wonderful World - Sam Cooke DISC FOUR: Be Still - Aled Jones and English Session Orchestra DISC FIVE: Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann DISC SIX: Love is All Around - Wet Wet Wet DISC SEVEN: Carry You Home – Alex Warren DISC EIGHT: Dear Theodosia - Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda BOOK CHOICE: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray LUXURY ITEM: The Marvel Movie Collection with a solar-powered DVD player CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah TaylorDesert Island Discs has cast many politicians away to the island over the years including Sir Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Sir Vince Cable, Theresa May, Ed Miliband, Boris Johnson and Margaret Thatcher.

The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South, joins Lucy Dunn for a special episode to assess the place of the SNP in British politics as we approach the end of 2025. The SNP were ‘decimated' to just nine MPs at the 2024 general election – yet, if polls are to be believed, they are on course for another record win in the 2026 Holyrood elections. But can the SNP really frame this election as a ‘fresh start'?Flynn explains what he made of the ‘bleak fallout' of 2024, why he is standing for election to Holyrood next year and what he makes of SNP heavyweights such as John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon. Plus, could a push for a second independence referendum be on the cards soon?Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.