logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
23m 7s

Investigation: The Tory MP who allegedly...

THE TIMES
About this episode

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 reveals a litany of allegations involving sex, drugs and a drunk dog. Mark Menzies disputes all the allegations, and says he “fully complied with all the rules for declarations.”

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake.  

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk 

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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

Up next
Today
Will superintelligent AI destroy humanity?
Warnings about the dangers of AI are reaching fever pitch, with cases of AI agents going rogue and attempts by malicious actors to use the technology to create biological weapons. Industry whistleblowers are sounding the alarm about a technology they claim could destroy humanity, ... Show More
29m 9s
Yesterday
Cover-ups, incompetence, and ‘a litany of failures’ exposed at the Nottingham inquiry - The Sunday Story
In June 2023, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic who is currently serving an indefinite hospital order. The months-long public inquiry into their deaths has revealed a staggering number of failures ... Show More
35m 36s
Sep 12
My life with Freddie Mercury - The Saturday Story
When Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen and one of the all-time greats of rock music, died from Aids in 1991, he left his beloved Kensington house to his lifelong companion Mary Austin. Once engaged to the superstar – before they both realised he preferred men – Austin was b ... Show More
25m 46s
Recommended Episodes
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".   <br /><br />Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims which also allege he used campaign funds to pay his personal medi ... Show More
20m 30s
Jan 2022
'Intimidation and Blackmail'
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. ... Show More
31m 11s
Apr 2022
Porn in Parliament
The Conservative Party is investigating claims that an MP watched pornography on his mobile phone in the Commons. Adam and Vicki Young discuss the latest following another busy day in Westminster. Also… the High Court has ruled that government policies on discharging untested pat ... Show More
34m 40s
Apr 2022
Partygate Probelem
With Boris Johnson thousands of miles away in India, MPs have approved an investigation into whether he misled Parliament over lockdown parties. Adam is joined by fellow BBC presenters Alex Forsyth and Jo Coburn to talk through how we got here. Also in the studio is Labour’s Shad ... Show More
31m 46s
Sep 2023
A Spy in Parliament?
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 Da ... Show More
29m 11s
Jun 2023
'Partygate' rears its ugly head again
Today sees a moment of reckoning for Britain, as parliament votes on a report condemning former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for deliberately lying about how his own team flouted Covid rules. The result could have imposed a 90-day suspension on Johnson, but he pre-emptively resig ... Show More
56m 16s
Apr 2022
After-Partygate
The PM again apologises for lockdown fines - but could backbench Tory MPs turn on him in the coming days and weeks? Adam is joined by the BBC’s Vicki Young to chew over another day of high drama in the Commons. Also… It’s thought that Downing Street and Foreign Office computer sy ... Show More
32m 18s