Episodes
This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark asked former Chelsea talisman Frank Lampard for his thoughts on their current one - Cole Palmer - but is he the best player in the Premier League right now? Plus, Sam Burgess was among our guests as we explored whether the only way to save Rugby was to reunite the two codes!And after Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate questioned why he hadn't received the Player of the Match award last weekend, we explained how (and who) actually decides...Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.comNew episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
After eight years as North America Editor Jon returned home to the UK, but things weren't quite as he had left them. In his book, Strangeland, Jon recounts what it was like in the US, looking back to the UK - and the strange feeling when he returned home to realise that either Britain had changed, or he had. Lewis sits down with Jon to discuss just how much the British political landscape has changed over the past 10 years.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal...
The Labour freebies story “broke“ over a month ago. Yet last night whilst Keir Starmer was meeting with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels he found himself fielding questions about what free stuff he was handing back after agreeing to repay 6k. Why is Labour being so weird about this? Does it tell us something more about labours naïveté? Or perhaps their unreadiness for government? Or is the media environment just a whole lot more complicated since they were last in power. Later, new documents have been released overnight in the US claiming Trump “resorted to crime" in his attempt to overtur...
Overnight nearly 180 missiles were targeted at Israel by Iran - revenge for the killing of Hizbollah leader, Nasrallah, last week. Western governments have offered their help to Israel - calling it an existential fight for survival. What will Israel do next? How long will their invasion of Lebanon go on? Is Russia involved and was the assassination of Nasrallah helped by an insider? All these questions...Luckily, Mark Urban is at hand. Later in the show, the Tories are wrapping up their conference with a very different predicted outcome to the one many were expecting. Who's going to make it...
Overnight Israeli began its ground war in Lebanon. They’re targeting Hezbollah but inevitably ordinary Lebanese citizens will pay a heavy price. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, has said it may strike Israel in retaliation. How should western leaders respond to this escalation? And how can it end? We speak to Shadow Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell. Later, have the Tories found their new Brexit? Why is Robert Jenrick promising that leaving the ECHR can solve immigration (it can’t)? And why aren’t they a little more scared this week when they reflect on the mountain they have to climb back to ...
The Tories suffered their worst electoral defeat for a hundred and fifty years in July. So why are they so upbeat this conference? Today we introduce you to the four remaining candidates for party leader - frontrunner Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat - and ask the biggest question of all. Why does Liz Truss still believe she can save Western Civilization?Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4Editor: ...
This week on The Sports Agents, We were joined by an array of brilliant guests to assess Anthony Joshua's shock defeat at Wembley and what's turning into a fierce rivalry between Arsenal and Man City. Later in the week, what finally feels like the end of the Everton takeover saga was in sharp focus. Gabby & Mark wanted to find out who the prospective new owners - The Friedkin Group - really are and why they've become so unpopular in Rome? New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
What is your biggest journalistic regret? Should a Prime Minister's spouse get an allowance? And what does 'middle class' mean in America? Thank you all for some BRILLIANT questions. The answers take us down some very strange alleys indeed...Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly ...
Keir Starmer has tried to shake off further accusations that he's indulged in freebies from a Labour donor by pointing out how many in the media do it too. What does this row tell us about the relationship between politicians and the public purse, and the part the media plays in creating that sense of injustice? Are we happy to hunt down every penny gifted - albeit publicly declared - in the quest for 'cleaner politics'? Or will we just invite comparisons that ANYONE in public life is 'all the same'? Later, Diane Abbot on the 2019 election, that row with Keir Starmer and whether Corbyn got ...
The Prime minister has arrived in New York and called on British citizens to evacuate Lebanon after Israeli missiles targetting Hezbollah left more than 550 dead in one day. Who are Hezbollah? Where did this war begin? We talk to the historian James Barr about the strange paramilitary army that is sewn into the society of Southern Lebanon. Later, Labour lose their first conference vote over winter fuel - UNITE union are triumphant. And... stay with us to the end for a special guest appearance. NO SPOILERS!Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall o...
Keir Starmer made an hour long speech with the one funny moment carefully tucked away 55 minutes in. It was the first conference speech from a Labour prime minister for 15 years, and the hall went wild for every mention of the victory they’d just witnessed. But after that? What was there? A promise from the Prime Minister to restore trust in politics again and make people see it as a force for good. Is the country in the mood to do that?We talk to health secretary Wes Streeting and look at the wider context of today's speech.Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The...
As protesters were wrangled off the conference floor, The Chancellor reminded her audience they were not a party of protest but a party of power. They’re now IN power. But Labour’s timetable has created a vacuum into which bad headlines have been allowed to dominate. Are these early teething problems or does it tell us something more structural about a lack of vision?We talk to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, and Tom Baldwin, Starmer's biographer. And we hear from Gary Neville on Arsenal boxes and freebies.Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Roy...
This week on The Sports Agents... Ahead of the opening matchday of the new and extended Champions League, we were joined by UEFA vice secretary general Giorgio Marchetti and European Clubs Association CEO Charlie Marshall. They discussed the suggestion that players may need to strike over the ever-increasing number of games and why UEFA's recent letter to No.10 Downing St. was not a thinly-veiled threat to Keir Starmer's government and their plans to introduce an independent football watchdog. And responded to criticism that this new competition format is just a European Super League Mk II....
Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4On today's show Jon asks whether we're edging closer to the end of the war in Ukraine. Two and a half years on from Russia's invasion, President Zelenskyy is confident he now has a plan for victory. But how realistic is this? What might a peace deal look like? And how will the outcome of the US Presidential election affect it?To answer all these questions and more, Jon is joined in the studio ...
Just two months on from the landslide general election and Starmer is having to field questions about the 100k worth of freebies he's received since 2019 and why his chief of staff, Sue Gray, is being paid more than the PM. The story it tells is of frantic briefing around the PM by disgruntled special advisors. Is this a problem he has to fix? Or can he ignore it? And can he withstand accusations of 'sleaze' after labelling the Tories with that for so long? We talk to the Starmer's chief of staff before Sue Gray - Sam White. And Aggie Chambre, LBC's political correspondent reveals to us the...
The attacks on Hezbollah operatives were as audacious as they were incredible. Yesterday, targeting four thousand potential terrorists remotely through their pagers. And further attacks today using handheld radios. But when the dust has settled, how will the world view this move? Was it justifiable? Or a breach of international law? What are the ethics of targeting so large a group? And was it a breach of Lebanese sovereignty? Jon and Emily talk to former Newsnight defence editor Mark Urban, and Professor of International Law, Philippe Sands.Tickets to see the News Agents Live on Stage at t...
Donald Trump has blamed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's rhetoric for the latest assassination attempt, calling them 'Marxist communists'. So how is the rhetoric changing in American politics? And is political violence on the edge of tipping over again?Later, Keir Starmer is cosying up to Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. And Jon asks about those donations for the Prime Minister's wife's clothes. Tickets to see the News Agents Live on Stage at the Royal Albert Hall go on sale this Friday, September 20th. They will be available via Global Player at the link below.https://articles.globalpl...
It's the second attempt on Donald Trump's life in just two months, once again calling into to question the security services and the state of gun violence in America. But will this change the course of the US elections?And, why did JD Vance just admit to making up the story about immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio?Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulDon’t forget you can also subscribe to our oth...
This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are joined by former England rugby captain Will Carling to discuss the future of the game, Spencer Matthews pops by to chat about his successful challenge of running 30 marathons in 30 days and Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesSenior Producer: Adem WatermanVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents"...
It was the interview that shook the monarchy and saw the downfall of one of its most senior members.A brand new drama based on that interview, titled “A Very Royal Scandal” is set to be released on Amazon next week, so Lewis sits down with Emily to talk about Prince Andrew, the shockwaves it triggered, and the new drama. Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulDon’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Age...
Two days after former president Donald Trump claimed immigrants are eating cats and dogs, and babies are being executed after birth, Jon and Lewis discuss how deep-rooted conspiracy theories have become in American politics. They're joined in the studio by Gabriel Gatehouse, whose book 'The Coming Storm' delves deep into the world of conspiracy, to find out just how much it is dominating American political discourse.So why is America so pre-disposed to conspiracy? How will it affect the election? And just how much is it tearing American society apart?Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie Indg...
Donald Trump was either up early this morning or didnt go to bed at all after his encounter with Kamala. He appeared on Fox News as they were discussing last night's debate performance - and claimed that 'polls' had called him the winner by 80 percent. Does he really believe it went well? Will he be convinced to do another one in October? And whose mind will have been changed by the performance of either candidate. There was no rowing back from the 'pet eating migrants' line. No softening on his stance on executed babies. But he took the news of Taylor Swift's endorsement of his opponent by...
The Presidential debate on Tuesday night was everything that team Harris were praying it would be. Trap after trap laid for Donald Trump which he appeared to walk into. His areas of strength - the economy and immigration - didn’t really get off the ground. She baited him on his rallies and his racism. And he got very cross. Moments after the debate ended the Democratic nominee won the support of arguably the most powerful woman alive - Taylor Swift. How will this shift the electoral race?Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia Foxwe...
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told Lewis that the wishes of the parents of the babies murdered by Lucy Letby must be respected. And yet - as the inquiry into the hospital culture surrounding those deaths opens in London today, we ask why so many people are refusing to believe the verdict delivered by a jury after a ten month trial. Have we become too distrustful of our institutions? Or is it endemic to this particular case and context? Journalist David Aaronovitch joins us to discuss the growing internet conspiracies.Later, the French rape trial that has confounded public opinion - the...
The (brat) summer was Kamala's. The Democratic nominee had two months of rave press reviews and sell out crowds. And a convention that left many remarking that the energy and momentum of the race was with her. But two months out from the election - and two weeks before the first ACTUAL postal votes are cast - Harris and Trump are now neck and neck in key swing polls. What's going on there? Later, winter fuel for pensioners. Was the cut to universal allowance a mistake? A sign of strength? Or of battles to come? - MPs vote tomorrow.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Mi...
This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark were joined by former Chelsea F.C manager Emma Hayes to discuss her brand new book, ‘A completely different game: My Leadership playbook’.There was a half full Lord's in the cricket - why may that have been?And the team digest how the new Manchester United exec board are getting on after their 3-0 loss to Liverpool. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
The News Agents comes to you live from Ed Davey’s back garden. This is not a euphemism. The Lib Dems are a big force in British politics once again, the most significant third party force in parliament for a century. Davey achieved this breakthrough by doing some very odd things including bungee jumping, paragliding and consistently falling into water.After one of the most curious election campaigns in history, Lewis sits down with the Lib Dem leader, not long before the party’s annual conference. They talk about what he was up to with all the stunts, what he wants to do with his party’s ne...
The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph. Later, is Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu in trouble? There is increasing desperation on the streets of Israel after the deaths of more hostages. The public mood has turned against the government and its ongoing war on Gaza. What happens now? We speak to the author and commentator Ayala Panievsky about how domestic politic...
The tragedy at Grenfell seven long years ago was one that was entirely avoidable. That was the conclusion today of the inquiry, which stated baldly that those 72 deaths in a high rise fire in west London would not have happened without a culture of dishonesty, greed on the part of the construction companies, and denial by the government who knew the dangers of flammable cladding but did nothing. What happens now for the families of the victims? Does this give closure? Or provoke rage? And will anyone face prosecution for the part they played? Lewis and Emily take you back to the night it h...
Actor Michael Sheen joins us today to discuss his latest role playing a royal - Prince Andrew in Amazon's three part drama 'A Very Royal Scandal', based on the Newsnight interview Emily did with him in 2019. He tells us what he privately decided about Prince Andrew's character before he accepted the part - and he tells us what he thinks of Keir Starmer's early days and what needs to needs to happen politically. He also takes us back - metaphorically - to his home town Port Talbot - which has seen the docking of its final ship in the steel making business for which it was formerly famed.The...