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Sue Gray’s verdict Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Sue Gray has found “failures of leadership and judgement” at No 10 and the Cabinet Office, and behaviour that is “difficult to justify” in her investigation into Covid-19 gatherings.

Adam, Laura and Chris explain what she has said, what she can’t say and what others are saying.

Newscast was made by Alison Gee, John Murphy and Georgia Coan. The studio director is Emma Crowe. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Gray Ja Vu Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

Another day, still no sign of Sue Gray... There’s confusion over when Sue Gray’s report will be published (and whether it will be as detailed as people first thought) after the Met Police asked for “minimal reference” to the events they are investigating. BBC Political Correspondent Nick Eardley helps us make sense of the latest Gray delay.

And all the partygate developments mean it’s been a while since we've chatted about Covid. The BBC's Clive Myrie (who’s been reporting from inside an intensive care unit in London) and our Health Editor, Hugh Pym, talk through how hospitals are coping and look at the latest data.

Today’s Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Georgia Coan and Ben Cooper. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Taxing Times Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

Just how big is the upcoming rise in National Insurance? It may be more than you think. Stephanie Flanders of Bloomberg Economics and Claer Barrett of the Financial Times run through some scary numbers.

And despite rumours that Sue Gray’s report into Downing St parties would have been published by now, we’re still waiting. Will it be released next week? Adam, Chris and Laura mull over what the delay is.

Today’s Newscast was made by Danny Wittenberg, John Murphy and Sally Abrahams. The assistant editor was Alison Gee.

Gray Expectations Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

We're all waiting for Sue Gray's inquiry, which had been expected to be made public on Wednesday. Adam, Laura and Guto Harri (ex Director of External Affairs for Boris Johnson whilst he was Mayor of London) talk through the latest from Westminster...

Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Georgia Coan. Michael Regaard was the studio director.

The Met investigates Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

The announcement that the Metropolitan Police will now investigate gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown has added to pressure on the prime minister. It comes just as the government prepares for the publication Sue Gray’s report.

Adam and Laura are joined by the BBC’s home affairs correspondent, Dominic Casciani, to discuss the latest twists in the story and explain what happens next.

Also, after the financial crisis of 2008, the government pumped hundreds of billions of pounds into the economy through quantitative easing, and it’s done something similar during the pandemic. But a new BBC TV documentary says all this extra money has benefitted the rich and led to huge inequality. Former trader Gary Stevenson explains how and why this happened.

Today’s Newscast was made by Alison Gee, with John Murphy, Georgia Coan and Alix Pickles. Emma Crowe was the studio director.

The Birthday Blues Jan 24, 2022

Show notes

During lockdown Downing Street staff got together inside to celebrate the PM's big day. The rules at the time meant that most indoor gatherings of more than two people were banned. Laura and Adam react to the latest... Is war imminent in Ukraine? The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse is in a hotel in Kyiv... And the BBC’s Jean Mackenzie has been looking into the trafficking of young girls from Romania to the UK, in order to be pimped out for sex. She tells us about her worrying findings. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with John Murphy, Georgia Coan and Ben Cooper. The studio director was Emma Crowe.

Tannoyed Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

The US and Russia have held high-level talks over the tension in Ukraine, aimed at lowering the chances of war. The BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale, and Steve Rosenberg, our Moscow Correspondent, join Adam to try and figure out what both sides are thinking.

Armando Iannucci, creator of satires like ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘The Death of Stalin’, gives us his take on the political turbulence, at Westminster in particular, as well as his reasons for campaigning to protect the BBC’s long-term funding. There were two big music stories today too: Adele’s Las Vegas postponement and the death of the rocker Meat Loaf. Entertainment reporter Sinéad Garvan drops by to tell us more.

First stop: we hear from a pretty recognisable voice on the government’s plan to limit the number of “spam” tannoy announcements on English trains. Today’s Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Ben Cooper and Georgia Coan. The studio director was Emma Crowe and the assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

'Intimidation and Blackmail' Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

A senior Tory accuses Number 10 of using blackmail to keep rebellious MPs in line.

Adam, Chris and Laura chew the fat over the latest serious claims and they are joined by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Clarke, to discuss an apology, a defection and strong-arm tactics.

Today's Newscast was made by Danny Wittenberg, John Murphy and Sally Abrahams. The assistant editor was Ali Gee.

'WHAT A Day!' Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

Will they / won’t they? All eyes are on Boris Johnson, still... as more MPs call for him to stand down. Laura K and Craig Oliver (ex Director of Comms for David Cameron) pick through the pieces. And, what is really happening in Ukraine right now? The US say that the Russians could attack at any moment. We catch-up with Americast's Anthony Zurcher, as well as Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Nato Secretary General... Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with John Murphy, Alix Pickles and Ben Cooper. The studio director Hannah Montgomery.

The Pork Pie Plot Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

Is it a serious threat for the PM?

The BBC has been told that a group of around 20 MPs (all of whom were first elected in 2019) have met to talk about whether they should try to get rid of Boris Johnson. Laura explains the latest in Westminster...

Malakai Fekitoa, the Wasps rugby player, hasn’t been able to speak to his family in Tonga since a volcanic eruption wiped out communication lines to the country. He is joined by the BBC's Michael Bristow to discuss the damage caused and how rescue efforts are being co-ordinated.

And James G pops back into the studio with a strange warning for us all: prepare for the end of the pandemic because it could be coming very soon.

Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Alix Pickles, Ben Cooper and John Murphy. The studio director was Emma Crowe and the assistant editor was Alison Gee.

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