logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
27m 34s

Reporting on the abuse of power

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Two stories about power – and how it can be abused. The first is the tale of an MP caught looking at porn in the House of Commons and what it might tell us about the culture of political reporting at Westminster. The other is the joint BBC and The Guardian investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by the DJ Tim Westwood. Also in the programme, the future of tech regulation in the UK.

Guests: Chi Chi Izundu, Reporter on "Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power", Katie Ferguson, Deputy Political Editor at The Sun, Eleanor Langford, Political Reporter at Politics Home, Margot James, former government minister, Philip Marsden, Professor of Law and Economics at the College of Europe and Kate Beioley, Legal Correspondent at the Financial Times.

Presenter: Katie Razzall

Sound engineer: Duncan Hannant

Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

Up next
Nov 19
Manager of YouTube's Sidemen Jordan Schwarzenberger, BBC crisis latest, Ed Sheeran Netflix producer Ben Winston
<p>Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins discuss the latest developments in the BBC’s ongoing crisis after President Trump threatens a multi-billion dollar lawsuit with: Baroness Tina Stowell, Conservative Peer and former Head of Corporate Affairs at the BBC and the Media Editor at the S ... Show More
42m 48s
Nov 12
How do we fix the BBC?
On this week’s edition of The Media Show Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins take you inside the biggest crisis to hit the BBC in decades. A Panorama edit of Donald Trump’s speech has spiralled into a leadership meltdown, culminating in the simultaneous resignation of the Director Gener ... Show More
42m 43s
Nov 5
Mishal Husain, Andy Wilman and the Traitors Finale
Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall talk to Mishal Husain about her new Bloomberg radio show and her departure from the BBC after 26 years. Andy Wilman, the creative force behind Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm, shares candid insights from his new book and decades of collaboration with Jer ... Show More
42m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
Leak inquiry: what happens when Westminster's secrets are spilled
This week, Aggie Chambre looks at the art of the leak and asks — why do people do it, and what happens when your political secrets are exposed? Former Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green talks about helping to leak Home Office secrets when Labour was in charge. Aggie hears from jo ... Show More
41m 10s
Apr 2022
Misogyny in Parliament
MPs have condemned claims made about Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, as misogynistic. MP Kim Leadbeater tells Adam why stories like this put women off politics and she shares her own experiences of Parliament. Also, millions of people in Beijing are being tested for Covid ... Show More
33m 7s
Mar 2022
3. Unleashing power
President Putin turns on the men who manoeuvred him to power, he turns on the media and turns to the West with an offer of support after 9/11. According to Britain’s former ambassador to Russia, there are two sides to Putin; one pragmatic and charming, the other angry and irratio ... Show More
29m 52s
Jun 2023
Harassment and bullying: What is wrong with British politics?
Two weeks ago, POLITICO revealed Geraint Davies was accused of sexual harassment by 5 different women. The Labour MP said he did not recognize the allegations but apologized if he inadvertently caused offence to anyone. This week, host Aggie Chambre asks why we keep hearing new a ... Show More
39m 5s
Sep 2021
Sarah Everard; Zoë Billingham, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary; Pepsi & Shirlie; The ethics and laws around surrogacy
Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens was sentenced today. The court heard that Sarah Everard was handcuffed by her murderer - a Metropolitan Police officer - as he pretended to arrest her for breaching Covid guidelines, as she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham on 3 Mar ... Show More
58m 3s
Mar 2024
Theresa Rules Out a May Election
Today we look at the announcement that Theresa May will leave the commons at the next election with two former close colleagues. Ali Donnelly, her former deputy spokesperson tells Adam what it’s like to receive a death stare from her.Former political adviser Cleo Watson says Brex ... Show More
39m 7s
May 2022
Inside the Lobby: Westminster's political journalists
New host Ailbhe Rea explores the quirks and the controversies of the pack of journalists who inhabit Westminster, known universally as 'the lobby.' We take a trip down memory lane with the legendary Andrew Marr, former political editor of the BBC, and tour the 'Burma Road,' the h ... Show More
43m 24s
Oct 2021
Institutional Misogyny, Bullying in Parliament, Women Magicians
Is the Police institutionally misogynistic? It's the question that's been raised now that a police WhatsApp group has come to light which Wayne Couzens was part of. It contained offensive messages. We also know that another police officer called PC David Carrick has been charged ... Show More
57m 40s
May 2022
'A culture of entitlement'
Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy tells Adam, Chris and Alex about experiencing sexual harassment at university and threats of rape. She also explains why she thinks MPs should get full maternity cover.Also, Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne explains what ... Show More
29m 36s
Mar 2023
Partygate People
MPs from the privileges committee have said Boris Johnson may have misled Parliament multiple times over Partygate - but the former PM insists he will be vindicated by their report.Meanwhile, Tory MPs say they’re angry that Sue Gray, who lead the Partygate probe, has been offered ... Show More
33m 35s