This week on The Sports Agents , The extraordinary story of Khalida Popal - the first ever captain of the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team - hounded out of her country by those who believed women have no right to play and who orchestrated her team's daring escape from Afghanistan, when the Taliban returned. Then, as Manchester City announced legal action against the Premier League, Gabby & Mark found out if this new legal action could influence the outcome of their long-awaited hea...
Jun 07, 2024•12 min
Overnight, Richard Holden, The Tory Party chair parachuted himself into the safe seat of Basildon & Billericay. Which is 280 miles away from his former seat - North West Durham. Today, his former colleague and former Tory cabinet minister tells us why he's 'disgusting', and what she thinks will happen to Rishi's Tory party now. Does she accept that the rot set in with the lies, hypocrisy and calumny of Boris Johnson? You'll find out. Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Producer...
Jun 06, 2024•33 min
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 repeated his claim 11 times), but the Tories are standing by their figure - and say all's fair in love and campaign war. We discuss what TV debates do for viewers' understanding of policy, and find out what voters in Leigh too...
Jun 05, 2024•35 min
The first election debate is done. Sunak and Starmer had it out live, on television, for an hour. Did we learn anything? Jon and Emily watched from home and give their analysis. Meanwhile Lewis has been in the dreaded “spin room” in Salford, trying to parse through the politicians’ bluster. At the end of it all- will any of it make a difference? Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Social Media Editor & Video Production: : Rory Symon You can listen to this episode on Alexa - jus...
Jun 05, 2024•29 min
We’re in Clacton-on-Sea today. So, coincidentally, is Nigel Farage the new leader of the Reform party and prospective parliamentary candidate. We caught up with him, with the ex-leader Richard Tice, and with their Conservative opponent Giles Whatling. We also hear from people in the town about what they make of the latest offering from Farage. Can his soap box speeches stand up to scrutiny on any single policy? Editor: Tom Hughes Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Shane Fenne...
Jun 04, 2024•30 min
So Nigel Farage is standing to be the Reform MP in Clacton. He’s stood before - (seven times if anyone is counting) but Clacton clearly feels to him like a pretty safe bet if he wants to be in the House of Commons for the next parliament. What is his game plan? And does this make Tory wipeout more likely? Later, does Kemi Badenoch understand the difference between sex and gender? She announced her new policy this morning but ended up sounding more confused than when she began. And our official p...
Jun 03, 2024•43 min
Keir Starmer has had one of the toughest weeks as Labour leader, and yet the polls still show electoral wipeout for the Tories - as Starmer's personal ratings improve. Why is the tide not turning against Labour? And can the Tories do anything about it? Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Social Media Editor: Rory Symon Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"! The News...
Jun 02, 2024•24 min
Lewis and Jon answer your questions on the Tory leadership, private schools, and downing pints. Plus much more. Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal Production: Abigail Brierley You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"! The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal https://nordvpn.com...
May 31, 2024•37 min
This week on The Sports Agents, UK cyclist Lizzy Banks joined Gabby & Mark in the studio, following her 10-month battle with UK Anti-Doping , for an insight into what actually happens when you fail a drugs test and the reality of trying to live as a 'clean' athlete under the current rules. The youngest executive in English football history, and current West Ham Director, Jack Sullivan , joined us later in the week to to help us find out how the big calls, like replacing the head coach, or vo...
May 31, 2024•12 min
Trump is found guilty in New York. Just before 5pm on Thursday New York time the airwaves started cracking with news of an imminent verdict. Twenty minutes later the jury in a Manhattan court returned. And pronounced Donald Trump guilty on each one of the 34 counts. Donald Trump can still run for president. So in one respect this may change nothing. But let’s not let this moment of history escape - a former and possible future president who is now a convicted felon. What happens to his freedom, ...
May 30, 2024•18 min
Sir Keir Starmer is on a warpath. But not against the Tories but his own side. At least, what is nominally his own side. Starmer has poured petrol on the fire of the Diane Abbott imbroglio by deselecting several of his own left-wing candidates and MPs. Why is Starmer engaging in bloodletting in the middle of a general election campaign? Jon and Lewis discuss a party addicted to civil war. And we’re joined by the playwright of the moment, Jez Butterworth to discuss theatre, working with Harvey We...
May 30, 2024•44 min
It's day two of the Diane Abbott fiasco and the Labour party look no closer to getting to grips with the situation. Keir Starmer insists that no decision has been made on Abbott, but she says she's been banned from standing. How damaging could this be for the Labour campaign? And how has Starmer allowed it to dominate the headlines for the past 48 hours? Later, we discuss Nigel Farage's role in the campaign so far, and ask why he's getting so much airtime and being treated like he's a party lead...
May 29, 2024•36 min
Rishi Sunak has had a gaffe-filled weekend amidst new policy announcements over the triple lock and compulsory National Service. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has fallen into a 'sewage-stricken' lake whilst paddleboarding. It's only day 5 of the general election campaign, and it already feels like the campaign teams can't get away from awkward videos and uncomfortable photos. Why are the campaigns off to such a strange start? The two leaders have agreed to debate each other next week, as per The Teleg...
May 28, 2024•39 min
The News Agents has new episodes every Sunday as we run-up to July 4th's UK General Election. We react as Lewis speaks to Home Secretary James Cleverly about why the Conservatives now want to introduce national service for every UK teenager, and we discuss whether election coverage provides a disproportionately large platform to minor parties with fringe views. Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal...
May 26, 2024•31 min
James O'Brien joins us in The News Agents bunker to talk all things client journalism, talk radio, and whether he'll be as harsh on Labour as he has been this Conservative government, should Starmer win July's election. A final hurrah from... Laura FitzPatrick Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agen...
May 24, 2024•37 min
This week on The Sports Agents, We brought you an exclusive interview between The News Agents' own Jon Sopel and the Arsenal and Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko - who reflected Arsenal's season and waning support for the war. A special insight into how world title fights are actually scored from the referee at the centre of what was described as the 'biggest robbery in boxing history'. Gabby & Mark then sat down with the Football League Chairman Rick Parry to discuss the widening gulf b...
May 24, 2024•12 min
Each Thursday during the election campaign we are answering your questions. Do MPs get paid after Parliament breaks up? Why do majorities shrink so fast these days? What is purdah and what’s Farage up to? Later, Salman Rushdie talks to Emily about the knife attack that nearly killed him and the premonition he had that it would happen. We discuss censorship, hate, Gaza and Iran. And whether the attack has changed his political leanings. The best producer we could have asked for!: Laura FitzPatric...
May 23, 2024•46 min
So we finally have a date for the general election, and it’s very very soon. How is it going to go down with the voters ? How are Tory MPs feeling about being blindsided ? And has Rishi taken a massive, optimistic gamble or just given up? In our election special we discuss what just happened - and why. Editor: Tom Hughes Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus Producer: Laura FitzPatrick Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Shane Fennelly, Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal You can listen ...
May 22, 2024•20 min
We are not ones to gossip but frankly the Westminster rumour mill is in overdrive, so we thought we should talk you through how the talk of a general election began and why we are all suspicious of a big announcement. Later, we talk to the Palestinian High Commissioner as three EU states - including Ireland - state their recognition of Palestine. What effect will this have - what changes? And we speak to the brother of an Israeli hostage - Naama Levi- about the sexual violence inflicted on women...
May 22, 2024•34 min
David Cameron has accused Rishi Sunak of hurting Britain’s soft power and putting universities at financial risk with his threat to curb the visa rights of international students. Rishi is desperate to see immigration numbers come down. But what will be the knock on effect of these curbs on our own students? Later, an interview with Ukrainian and Arsenal footballer Zinchenko - and why is Lee Anderson sounding one mushroom Short of a full English ? Editor: Tom Hughes Producer: Laura FitzPatrick S...
May 21, 2024•27 min
The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister and Defence minister and three Hamas leaders - accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Israeli cabinet has already hit back - calling it 'moral blindness'. But this means the country's leaders could face arrest in over 120 countries (the signatories to the ICC) if they travel abroad. Why has the prosecutor sought the warrants now - and what impact could this have on the war in Gaza and on Israe...
May 20, 2024•37 min
We are on the ground in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where Europe and Asia meet. For weeks hundreds of thousands of (overwhelmingly) Gen Zs have taken to the streets to protest against their government. The gates of Parliament have been stormed, tear gas repeatedly deployed, protesters beaten up and with even a fist fight among MPs thrown in. The clash has centred on the governing Georgian Dream Party’s “Foreign Agent” law, which opponents fear will be a tool to suppress political opponents....
May 17, 2024•49 min
This week on The Sports Agents former England defender Rio Ferdinand joined us to discuss the stigma around mental health in football and whether teams are now better equipped to work with players who are struggling. We were also joined by Jadon Sancho's former youth coach and mentor Sayce Lewis-Holmes to find out more about the level of pressure on aspiring footballers today. Plus, with a huge final couple of days in the Premier League and WSL seasons this weekend, football writer Henry Winter ...
May 17, 2024•11 min
Keir Starmer has rolled up his sleeves, taken off his tie and headed to Essex to unveil his six first steps for government. Is Starmer looking for Blairite comparisons? Is there the same enthusiasm for change as there was in 1997? And what are the hard questions Labour still needs to answer, but won’t? Later we speak with Lewis in Tblisi ahead of another critical day of protests by those fighting the Russification of democracy in Georgia. And the big reveal today comes from Jon. Right at the end...
May 16, 2024•36 min
In an exclusive early interview we speak to the Government's Independent Advisor on Political Violence. John Woodcock, a cross party peer, has spent the last four years putting together recommendations to make public life safer by cracking down on extreme protest. He'll present his findings to parliament next week. Why do we need this? And which groups is he talking about banning? Is this a clampdown on democratic norms or a necessary precaution to protect those in public life. Later, why are th...
May 15, 2024•34 min
We have a real live government Secretary of State with us in News Agents HQ today - David TC Davies insists the election still winnable for the Conservatives - and says if you want to see what Labour would do in power, then look at the mess unfolding in Wales. Is he missing something or are we? Later, Peter Conradi - author of Who Lost Russia - takes us gently through all that is unfolding right now in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, and why - despite the Western sanctions - it all speaks to ...
May 14, 2024•35 min
If it had been a speech about defence, it might have made more sense. But Rishi Sunak had no new policy offerings in todays pronouncement - he warned of a scary future under Starmer - then started talking about football shirts, ozempic, civic duty, literacy, and optimism. It was, in essence, an electioneering speech - criticising labour for blaming the Tories for the last 14 years. Meanwhile his Common Sense Minister Esther McVey has gone to war on the office lanyard. Later, will former lawyer a...
May 13, 2024•26 min
Lewis Goodall hosts a special report from Port Talbot, South Wales, where thousands of jobs are about to be lost at Tata Steel. Port Talbot is Britain's last great steelworks, and a community has been built around it for generations. But Tata has announced 2,800 job losses across the UK as part of the closure of the site's blast furnaces and a transition to greener steelmaking. We visited the site and the town itself, to assess the impact it could have on an economy already battered by the de-in...
May 10, 2024•23 min
This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark took a closer look at a controversial new rule in cricket - the impact player in the IPL - and whether it's introduction became a threat to the fabric of the sport. The Telegraph's Nick Hoult joined us in the studio to discuss it's impact on the game and whether the current domestic schedule demands too much from players. And with the 'fight of the century' a week away between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, just how big is the latest drug scandal ...
May 10, 2024•14 min
Did the Labour Party screw up in welcoming Natalie Elphicke into its party? One former frontbencher tells us Keir Stamer got this wrong. They're calling on him to now re-admit Dianne Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn into the Labour fold. Has Keir just made his life much harder in search of onesexy headline? Later, Is Biden about to stop arms sales to Israel - and why doesn't the Speaker of the House know about this? And what's happening to Israel's Eurovision entry. Can we remove politics from the cultu...
May 09, 2024•38 min
