logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
29m 11s

A Spy in Parliament?

BBC News
About this episode

Researcher arrested amid claims he was spying for China.

Chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman helps Laura and James Cook understand what information Westminster staffers get access to, as well as the UK government’s reaction to the news.

And, the case of escaped prisoner Daniel Khalife has put prisons at the top of the political agenda. Laura’s interviewed the justice secretary Alex Chalk. We reflect on his comments and on the question of how important prisons are to politicians and the electorate.

Newscast was hosted by Laura Kuenssberg and James Cook with Henry Zeffman. It was made by Chris Flynn with Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Up next
Today
LIVE At Castfest: Could Trump Use The Falklands To Punish The UK?
Today, we look at a report that suggests the US could review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands.An internal Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran.The ... Show More
41m 31s
Apr 19
Is The Strait Of Hormuz Actually Open (Or Shut) Right Now?
Today, Adam joined Laura and Paddy to chew over the latest news from Iran, Scotland, and Downing Street. Ahead of the Prime Minister’s appearance in parliament, they discuss what we’ve learned today about what Sir Keir Starmer knew, or did not know, about the Lord Mandelson’s vet ... Show More
33m 40s
Apr 9
The Defence Secretary Interview: The Covert Russian Submarine Operation
Today, the defence secretary has revealed the British military has responded to a month-long Russian submarine operation over cables and pipelines north of UK.John Healey says he deployed a warship and aircraft in response, and the Russian vessels were "monitored 24/7". He says t ... Show More
28m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2021
Prison Break
<p>Luke Jones speaks to; Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Prison Reform, former prisoner Andrew Morris and the national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Mark Fairhurst on how prisons have been during the pandemic.</p><br><p>PLUS: Libby Purves an ... Show More
39m 39s
Jun 2023
Scotland’s Sturgeon arrested
<p>The former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested on Sunday, Boris Johnson’s exit from UK parliament will have consequences for the Conservative Party. Plus, former US president Donald Trump’s most recent indictment could have implications on his 2024 run fo ... Show More
9m 45s
Mar 2024
Investigation: Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisons
<p>A Times investigation has revealed a worrying lack of security at a prison housing dangerous criminals, prompting an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. The journalist who went undercover at HMP Bedford tells The Story about witnessing fights and drugs - and heari ... Show More
33m 40s
Jun 2024
Assange Walks Free: The Debate w/RFK Jr.
After years of legal battles and tensions with the governments of multiple countries, WikiLeaks founder and Australian citizen Julian Assange left a UK prison following a London High Court bail order on Monday. Assange is expected to plead guilty to a single espionage charge in a ... Show More
46m 33s
Feb 2024
Westminster’s Gaza disgrace – Politics Weekly UK
House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made a dramatic apology today for his handling of a Gaza ceasefire vote that sent the commons into chaos. The Guardian’s John Harris spent the day in Westminster speaking to protestors, Labour MP Rachael Maskell, and the Guardian’ politi ... Show More
30m 52s
Feb 2024
Commotion and a no confidence motion: What damage has the Commons Gaza row done?
The third largest party in the House of Commons, the SNP, says it doesn't have confidence in its Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle. The Speaker himself says he took decisions about how MPs debated and voted on calls for a ceasefire in Gaza because he wanted as broad a discussion as possible ... Show More
26m 14s
Jan 2024
Is democracy dying?
Why are younger voters around the world turning their back on democracy in favour of strongman leaders who are prepared to defy parliaments?In a year when more than two billion people in 50 countries will go to the polls – the biggest global election year in history – Amol and Ni ... Show More
47m 54s
Feb 2024
Sweden set to join the Nato club
<p>Sweden is set to become a Nato member, the UK Financial Conduct Authority is planning to name firms under investigation at a much earlier stage, and Microsoft has struck a deal with a French artificial intelligence start-up to broaden its involvement in the industry beyond Ope ... Show More
9m 19s
Feb 2024
Will Young: popstar to politician? Plus Westminster ceasefire row
Nish and guest co-presenter Liz Bates set the scene on what went on to become a chaotic night in the Commons, that put speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s job at risk. They call out the “pathetic and petty” political game playing that sought to use the suffering of people in Gaza to embarras ... Show More
51m 22s