logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
47m 13s

How To Perfect A Political Denial

THE TIMES
About this episode

Twenty five years after Bill Clinton infamously denied having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, Patrick speaks to Damian Whitworth, who remembers the chaos that gripped US politics while he was covering the story of The Times. 


Boris Johnson's former Director of Communications Guto Harri, Andrew Gimson and Isabel Hardman analyse the best and worst denials made by UK politicians.


Plus: Anoosh Chakelian from the New Statesman and former Number 10 advisor Jimmy Mcloughlin discuss the government's latest policy week, whether schools should teach more sociology or more languages, and whether the government should appoint a toilet czar - or even a 'Lenin of the loos'. 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
A Matter Of When, Not If?
Keir Starmer is clinging on as Prime Minister and more details of Peter Mandelson's alleged misconduct could still emerge - so is his fate now sealed?Ed unpacks the politics of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Alys Denby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ... Show More
31m 38s
Yesterday
Is Starmer’s Apology Enough?
Keir Starmer says he’s sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies, as anger grows over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US - but is his apology enough? Or could it prove fatal to Starmer’s leadership?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Matthew Syed and S ... Show More
23m 47s
Feb 4
PMQs: Starmer Knew About Mandelson & Epstein
Keir Starmer described Peter Mandelson as a "liar" who "betrayed our country" at PMQs today.But he also admitted that he had been aware of Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein when he appointed him as US ambassador.Can the Prime Minister survive this growing scan ... Show More
40m 7s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
The art of the political interview
POLITICO’s Ailbhe Rea takes us inside the art of the political interview. In a rare conversation on the other side of the microphone, Today programme presenter and ex-BBC political editor Nick Robinson opens up about what’s going through his mind in the middle of a high-profile g ... Show More
49m 42s
Feb 2022
Resetting the Boris Johnson government
<p>We examine the abrupt departure of Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick, what it means for the police investigation into the “partygate” scandal and how it plays into Boris Johnson’s hopes of resetting his government. We also look at the mini Cabinet reshuffle and the new No1 ... Show More
35m 37s
Dec 2023
The art of the political apology
In the week Boris Johnson finally said sorry for the mistakes made by his government during the COVID-19 pandemic, host Aggie Chambre explores the art of the political apology — and asks how politicians can redeem themselves after completely screwing up. Johnson's former Downing ... Show More
47m 35s
Jan 2022
In conversation with Michael Cockerell
<p>Michael Cockerell has made some of the best political documentaries about UK politics, covering prime ministers from Harold Macmillan to Boris Johnson.&nbsp;</p><p>His new book, “Unmasking Our Leaders”, takes us into a career of political journalism and interviews regarding no ... Show More
27m 28s
Jan 2024
Why is trust in UK politics so low?
Today, we look at whether the voters trust political leaders. Laura, Paddy and Henry wrap up what the politicians made of the focus groups on Laura's show. Can politicians be trusted with the big issues voters believe the country faces? Who does the public think would make a good ... Show More
29m 17s
Sep 2021
Why do politicians tell so many lies?
Jack Blanchard explores the thorny topic of political lying, and considers whether dishonesty is really getting worse in the so-called 'post-truth' era. Labour MP Dawn Butler and maverick journalist Peter Oborne explain why they believe Boris Johnson to be more dishonest than any ... Show More
39m 59s
Jun 2024
How Trump’s Conviction Could Reshape the Election
<p>Last week, Donald J. Trump became the first U.S. former president to be convicted of a crime when a jury found that he had falsified business records to conceal a sex scandal.</p><p>Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The Times, and Reid J. Epstein, who also ... Show More
31m 36s
Feb 2024
Jake Tapper on American Political Scandal
American politicians are responsible for some of the wildest scandals in the history of our country.   CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper looks back on six of the most iconic political controversies of the modern era in his new series United States of Scand ... Show More
29m 59s
Nov 2023
A Week is a Long Time in Politics
Eight shadow ministers have resigned or were sacked from Labour’s frontbench after voting for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. And new foreign secretary David Cameron makes his first visit to Ukraine.Adam and Chris talk over the huge political stories of the week wi ... Show More
34m 41s