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
Another Plan To Stop The Boats
Today, the UK and France have unveiled a new “one in, one out” plan to reduce small boat Channel crossings. Announcing the deal at the end of Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, Keir Starmer said migrants arriving on small boats will be returned to France, in exchange for as ... Show More
34 m
Yesterday
What Can The Government Actually Afford?
Can the government afford everything it wants to do?Adam is joined by BBC economics editor Faisal Islam and BBC health editor Hugh Pym to discuss the news that resident doctors, who used to be called junior doctors, have announced strike dates for later this summer. The governmen ... Show More
41m 19s
Jul 8
National Emergency Alert Test: Newscast In COBR
As the government announces a new test of the emergency alert system, Newscast is invited to COBR.Adam and Chris become the first people ever to broadcast from COBR as they interview Pat McFadden the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster. They discuss a new test of the emergency ... Show More
42m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2021
Prison Break
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. PLUS: Libby Purves and Rachel Sylv ... Show More
39m 39s
Jun 2023
Scotland’s Sturgeon arrested
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 for p ... Show More
9m 45s
Mar 2024
Investigation: Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisons
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 hearing ... 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
45m 33s
Jun 2024
Another Take: The trial of Julian Assange
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on January 26, 2022. None of the dates or references from that time have been changed.  Julian Assange has waged a long fight against extradition from the UK to the US, and after years, a final decision i ... Show More
23m 57s
Apr 2024
Investigation: The Tory MP who allegedly demanded campaign cash to pay ‘bad people’
The call came in the dead of night. “Are you on your own?” the man said. “I’ve got in with some bad people and they’ve locked me in a flat and they want £5,000 to release me.” The caller was Mark Menzies, the Conservative MP for Fylde in Lancashire. The Times investigation reveal ... Show More
23m 7s
Jan 2024
The scramble for a new EU leader
Chinese companies are resorting to chips repurposed from standard PC gaming products to develop artificial intelligence tools, and Charles Michel’s run for European parliament is causing a scramble to replace him. Plus, a new TV show is firing Brits up over a decades-old post off ... Show More
10m 35s
May 2024
Trump Trial Week 4… Will the jury believe Michael Cohen?
Donald Trump’s former lawyer takes the stand. Former US President Donald Trump’s trial in New York is in its fourth week, where he’s accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.He’s pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records an ... Show More
24m 19s
Apr 2024
Tory MP suspended | What's going on with climate targets?
Conservative MP Mark Menzies has been suspended from the parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local Tory party funds to pay off "bad people".    Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims which also allege he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills. ... Show More
20m 30s
Jun 2024
Why are Labour calling Sunak a liar?
Rishi Sunak accused Keir Starmer of planning to put people's taxes up by £2,000 if he got into power - sums he said had been independently verified. This morning we learned they werent, after a top civil servant put the record straight. Labour are calling the PM a liar (he repeat ... Show More
34m 38s