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MP for Warrington North shares her experience as a complainant in a rape trial where the man she accused was acquitted. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Reform UK leader has a lucrative extra gig sending paid-for Cameo messages. But an analysis of more than 4,000 show they include videos for a neo-Nazi group and a rioter. Henry Dyer reports – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Kemi Badenoch has described Donald Trump's criticism of Keir Starmer as ‘childish' and said it ‘sends the wrong signal to our opponents in Iran or in Russia'. Trump repeated his previous attack on the prime minister on Tuesday, saying: ‘Unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill.' Are cracks starting to appear in the US-UK special relationship? Lucy Hough speaks to our senior political correspondent Peter Walker – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Keir Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk' in making Peter Mandelson ambassador to the US due to his links with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to newly released files. The first batch of files raises new questions about the prime minister's judgment, as well as the vetting process at the highest level of government. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
As the first tranche of documents relating to the hiring of Peter Mandelson are released, how bad will the fallout be for Keir Starmer and the government? Pippa Crerar is joined by Peter Walker to discuss. Plus, the fuel duty row that Rachel Reeves thought she could avoid. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Oil prices have already shot up thanks to the US-Israeli war in Iran. But what is the economic fallout likely to be? Will interest rates rise? What about inflation? Could the cost of borrowing increase – and by how much? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the cost of living might be hit and the political implications of that. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Rafael Behr on why Donald Trump's war on Iran presents a strategic dilemma for Keir Starmer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The UK prime minister has defended his stance on the war in the Middle East amid growing pressure from Cyprus, Bahrain and the UAE. John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether he has shown strength or weakness. Plus: the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced her controversial asylum plans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Keir Starmer's announcement that British bases in the UK and in the Chagos Islands would be used by the US in their strikes in Iran. Their use is for ‘limited defensive purposes' but is that enough to stop Britain being dragged further into war? What is the extent of the UK's involvement in the Middle East war?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
The Green Party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gordon and Denton byelection in a major blow to Keir Starmer. Hannah Spencer, a local plumber, was elected as the party's first MP in northern England, with Labour pushed into third place behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK despite having a 13,000-vote majority. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's north of England correspondent Hannah Al-Othman, who lives in the constituency and was at the count overnight – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
In a stunning setback for Labour, the Green party has decisively won the Gorton and Denton byelection, with Reform UK finishing second. Does this result signal the end of Labour's safe seats? And could it mark the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer? John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey unpack the fallout – and explore what might happen next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Jeremy Corbyn's allies declared victory after he was voted to be Your Party's parliamentary leader in an election in which his rival Zarah Sultana was also voted on to the party's leadership committee. The party is hoping to turn the page on bitter in-fighting since its launch last year, but will it succeed? Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian columnist Owen Jones - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
As MPs vote to release the documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy, Helen Pidd speaks to Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about the former prince's antics in the role and whether this scandal will be the monarchy's last. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
As the dust settles on the government's landmark changes to children's special educational needs and disabilities provision, what will their impact really be on young people, their families and schools? John Harris and Kiran Stacey look at what we know so far. And, a growing backlash from graduates over student loan payments, led by the influential consumer champion Martin Lewis, is causing a headache the government was not anticipating. Why did they overlook this and what changes could be made?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
As British MPs vote to release the documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy, Helen Pidd speaks to Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about the former prince's antics in the role and whether this scandal will be the monarchy's last
The BBC is under fire over its failure to remove a racial slur shouted by John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, from its broadcast of the Bafta awards. Davidson was heard shouting the N-word while two stars of the film Sinners, Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, were on stage. He said controversy over the incident had left him “distraught” and that he had been assured any offensive words would be edited out. The BBC has apologised for the error and said producers overseeing the coverage did not hear the slur. Lucy Hough is joined by the Guardian's assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye – watch on YouTube – Read Jason's piece here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump made history again on Tuesday evening, delivering the longest State of the Union address on record. But while the president declared the ‘golden age of America', many Democrats boycotted the event, telling the country Republicans are ‘making your life harder'. The Guardian's Jenna Amatulli talks to Rolling Stone's Nikki McCann Ramírez about Trump's claims, the Democrats' rebuttal, and how the speech will land with a divided nation
Former US ambassador Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after his arrest over claims he committed misconduct in public office during his friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police have been investigating allegations that he leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to the disgraced US financier during his time as business secretary. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Reform UK has promised to create an ICE-style agency dedicated to mass deportations if the party came to power. Nigel Farage and his party's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, have pledged to start a ‘UK Deportation Command' to remove thousands of people, under plans that have been condemned as ‘sadistic'. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's deputy political editor Jessica Elgot – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government's long-awaited plans for the special educational needs and disabilities system. Can the controversial overhaul convince parents and MPs? Plus, the latest on the Gorton and Denton byelection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Send a textEp 275 — I start with a tribute to Eric Dane who just passed from ALS. I met him and Rebecca Gayheart at Chris Kattan's wedding when I was maid of honor and I share what stood out about him that night. I tell you about Rebecca's new man Peter Morton who started Hard Rock Cafe and sold it for over a billion, his son Harry Morton who died at 38, and his stepdaughter Domino Harvey the bounty hunter. Then I get into the link between pesticides and ALS and how to protect yourself and your family. Full anti-inflammatory diet liver update — I went from moderate to MILD and my liver is regenerating. Plus I'm starting a menopause journey every woman needs to hear. Then the gossip — Gretchen Rossi is doing a master class with MLM partners selling peptides and I break down what's really going on. The Kelly Dodd vs Dr. Divya Srinivasan feud — ALL the receipts from both sides including Kelly's deleted videos. EXCLUSIVE Jill Zarin tea — I was at the Hollywood Reporter shoot when she was about to be fired from RHONY and nobody online has gotten this story right. Then Prince Andrew — I called a friend arrested in the UK and take you through what Andrew went through inside that police station. I explain the Peter Mandelson connection, the Chinese spy, the UAE dealings and why King Charles's statement was way more calculated than people realize. I asked Claude AI what it thought about Anthropic's safety lead quitting — it basically turned on its own company. And the last 40 minutes — the Holy Grail from the Epstein email — Bill Gates, Larry Summers, Google founders on Epstein's 727, Brock Pierce explaining Bitcoin, world leaders, a hundred billion dollars at one dinner. I've never seen anyone cover this. Part two next week.Full episode only available at Dishing Drama Dana Patreon,it's only $6.00 a month, join the fun! https://www.patreon.com/cw/DishingDramaWithDanaWilkeyTIME CODES:
Political correspondent Alexandra Topping and special educational needs student Jake with his mum, Laura, explore the government's controversial plans for reform. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation after police questioned the former prince in relation to allegations he shared confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein. Officers searched Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham residence as well as his former home at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park after arresting him on Thursday. The former prince has denied any wrongdoing. But what were the police searching for and what could happen next? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's police and crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Six unmarked police cars carrying plainclothes officers arrived at the Sandringham estate while the former prince was celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday. Officers searched the Norfolk property as well as Mountbatten-Windsor's former home at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian journalist David Pegg – watch on YouTube – Read extract from Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Reform UK has this week announced its ‘shadow cabinet'. But with a familiar cast of former Conservative ministers, can Nigel Farage shake off claims that his ‘one-man band' is little more than a Tory 2.0 project? Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker discuss what the appointments reveal about Reform's policy direction. Plus: who is Antonia Romeo, the newly appointed cabinet secretary? Please send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey and John Harris to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
A thinktank called Labour Together, linked to Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney, has been exposed for investigating journalists who were looking into the group's funding. One of those journalists was the Guardian's Henry Dyer. He tells Helen Pidd how he found out and why it matters. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Guardian's community affairs correspondent, Chris Osuh, reports on the plot by two IS terrorists to massacre Jews in Manchester, and how it was thwarted by an undercover sting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What is Blue Labour? Can Andy Burnham's ‘Manchesterism' be replicated elsewhere? And is the two-party system over in British politics? In a special episode, Pippa and Kiran take your questions. Please keep sending them to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
The co-founder of Palestine Action has won a legal challenge to the home secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws. Palestine Action was the first direct action protest group to be proscribed. The decision was widely condemned and was defied by a civil disobedience campaign, during which more than 2,000 people have been arrested. From July last year, being a member of – or showing support for – the group became an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist Owen Jones - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Keir Starmer was on the brink of a leadership contest this week, but he pulled it back. That does not mean his rivals have gone away. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to Kiran Stacey about one of the most hotly tipped contenders: Wes Streeting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Monaco-based billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has said he is sorry that his ‘choice of language has offended some people', after growing outrage over his comments that the UK was being ‘colonised by immigrants'. The Manchester United co-owner has faced a mounting backlash since making the remarks, which have been labelled hypocritical and reminiscent of ‘far-right narratives'. Lucy Hough speaks to the sports writer and columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
After a week when it seemed all but over for Keir Starmer, John, Pippa and Kiran unpack how the prime minister survived – and what it means for Labour in the long run. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Helen Pidd follows the twists and turns on Monday as the prime minister fought to keep his job. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
After a day of turmoil where the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Keir Starmer to resign, Labour MPs and cabinet members seem to be rallying around the prime minister. Can Starmer bounce back from this latest blow to his leadership? And what might the road to recovery look like for Labour? Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Aditya Chakrabortty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Keir Starmer's future as prime minister suffered another major blow when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for him to go. With the cabinet rallying around him, the PM seems to be safe for now, but for how much longer? Pippa and Kiran look at what might happen next Please send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey and John Harris to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Keir Starmer's days as prime minister are numbered, Labour MPs have warned, after a week of fury over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. While several MPs have said the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, should take responsibility and resign, the mood surrounding No 10 has seemed ‘terminal', said an MP from the 2024 intake. Lucy Hough talks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
We discuss more ICE BS, Department of Homeland Security violating first amendment rights, and the hosts of The View finally catch up to 2016.
As Starmer apologises for believing Mandelson's ‘lies', just how damaging will the latter's links to Jeffrey Epstein be for the PM's own reputation? John Harris and Kiran Stacey discuss the latest. Plus, the mood on the ground from the Gorton and Denton byelection Why this Manchester byelection is a lesson in 21st century politics – video Please send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey and John Harris to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Peter Mandelson faces a criminal investigation over allegations he leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2009. The Metropolitan police are investigating Mandelson, who was then business secretary, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Police are also reviewing fresh allegations about the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Lucy Hough speaks to the head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump claims that the release of millions more files related to Jeffrey Epstein ‘absolve' him of wrongdoing, even though his name appears hundreds of times. The latest documents also indicate high-profile figures, including the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Labour peer Peter Mandelson, continued friendships with the disgraced financier after his child sex abuse convictions. So what have we learned from the newly released files and what happens next? Lucy Hough speaks to columnist and host of Politics Weekly America Jonathan Freedland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Ten years after I first followed the proposed route, I retraced my steps to see what life was like along the world's most expensive, heavily delayed railway line By Patrick Barkham. Read by Dermot Daly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Peter Mandelson has resigned his Labour party membership after new details of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light. But why did Labour ever decide to appoint him as US ambassador? Pippa and Kiran chat through what No 10 knew and when. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
Miqdaad Versi, Shaista Aziz, Aamna Mohdin and Nosheen Iqbal on the rise of the far right and growing Islamophobia in the UK. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jeff Bezos's Amazon MGM Studios is due to release its feature-length documentary about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner, a formerly exiled film-maker who was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. The documentary was screened at a promotional event inside the White House, attended by what the Hollywood Reporter describes as ‘70 assorted VIPs', including Amazon's Andy Jassy, Apple's Tim Cook and the former boxer Mike Tyson. Bezos bought the rights to the film for $40m (£30m) and spent a further $35m on a global marketing push – but so far, ticket sales are reportedly ‘soft' as it prepares to screen in more than 100 UK cinemas. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The prime minister may have seen off the challenge for the moment – but what will be the cost to his leadership? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Elle Hunt on the success of the BBC's hit show The Traitors. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Duke of Sussex has been giving evidence in the high court, accusing the publisher of the Daily Mail of ‘grave breaches of privacy' and unlawfully gathering information. The prince is joined in the legal action by a group of other notable figures including Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley and Doreen Lawrence. Lucy Hough speaks to the senior national news editor Aaron Sharp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: one of Britain's most influential scholars has spent a lifetime trying to convince people to take race and racism seriously. Are we finally ready to listen? By Yohann Koshy. Read by Dermot Daly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, has appeared to permanently cut ties with his family. In an explosive statement posted on Instagram, he claimed his parents had been controlling narratives in the press about his family, and had tried to ‘ruin' his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian columnist Marina Hyde – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Robert Jenrick has been sensationally sacked from the shadow cabinet and suspended from the Conservative party after Kemi Badenoch said she was presented with ‘irrefutable evidence' that he was planning to defect. The shadow justice secretary was Badenoch's leadership rival and had long been said to have been prepared to do a deal with Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus