Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents.
They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed.
Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. You can listen to The News Agents on Alexa, just say "Alexa ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast.
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You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/
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Morgan McSweeney was called before MPs to explain HIS version of how Mandelson was hired: was he just finding a great job for a mate? Why hadn’t he responded to all the red flag warnings? Was due process really followed? And had he put Starmer in a position where the PM wasn’t told the whole truth? Later, Tom Baldwin - Starmer’s friend and biographer- on how, and whether, the PM can survive, and whether the high body count of sacked staff speaks to a wider malaise in his Downing Street. The News...
Trump has praised King Charles for pressing on with his US state visit in the wake of Saturday night's shooting, calling him ‘brave’. The President’s comments have thrust the King back into the diplomatic spotlight. With tensions between the UK and the US compounding, it seems that Keir Starmer has deployed the King as a literal trump card. So can the King make any difference for the ‘special relationship’? The News Agents is a Global Production. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - ht...
In a world of increasing extremes, Liberalism itself has come to be an insult. From 'metropolitan liberal elites' to 'bleeding heart liberals' the liberal establishment seems bewildered and fresh out of devoid of new ideas in the face of populist extremes. Labour, Tories, Liberal Democrats – all now struggling to hold their own against Reform UK and The Green Party, both of which have taken populism from opposite ends of the spectrum to the heart of British politics. This week, Lewis is joined b...
After Liam Rosenior was sacked just 106 days into his 6-year-deal, life-long Chelsea fan & President of World Athletics, Lord Seb Coe joins Gabby and Mark to talk about Russia's return to the Olympics, his views on The ' Enhanced Games ' and why the world is running out of host cities for major tournaments? Will British athletics be able to capitalise on their new 'golden generation' and when will Manchester United's new stadium be ready? Plus Gabby & Mark reflect on the prospect of a cl...
Is Keir Starmer a passenger and not a driver in his own government? At the end of a week of crisis management - with a sacked official spilling the beans on the grubby business of the Mandelson appointment - the charge against the Prime Minister that's really stuck is that somehow he’s never in control of anything within his own government. Can Starmer weather this out? Or are his cabinet colleagues just playing a waiting game until after the local elections two weeks today? We talk to Sam Coate...
Keir Starmer came to power promising to clean up politics and end the games at the top of Westminster. Yet this week has brought another sacking, linked to the handling of Peter Mandelson’s appointment, alongside reports of efforts to secure an ambassadorial role for the Prime Minister’s former communications chief, Matthew Doyle. As more details emerge, the picture looks increasingly complicated. So is Starmer creating the very problem he wanted to eradicate? And can he keep putting the blame o...
Olly Robbins - the foreign office top civil servant fired by Keir Starmer on Thursday - gave his version of events today. He described an atmosphere of immense pressure over the Peter Mandelson appointment and suggested Downing Street weren’t that interested in the vetting process at all. Was he bullied into giving Mandelson the job? Was Starmer right to sack Robbins? And why was he hunting for another ambassadorial role for another friend of another paedophile? It’s all getting silly. We talk t...
Keir Starmer is still pleading his case before MPs. Should he have been told about the failed Mandelson vetting by Olly Robbins? Should he have asked? Who’s fault was it really that he didn’t find out until last Tuesday. And why, critically, did he ignore a letter of advice from then cabinet secretary Simon Case explicitly telling him to vet Mandelson BEFORE appointing him. We still have no clear answer… The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/...
That's the charge from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who has called on the Prime Minister to resign today. The Guardian reported last night that Starmer appointed Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington even though he had failed government security vetting. The PM has said today he is "absolutely furious" he was not told about this - and has sacked Olly Robbins, the top civil servant at the Foreign Office. Starmer had previously insisted that “full due process” was followed in the appointme...
The Pope didn’t mention Trump by name. But speaking to a large congregation on his trip to Cameroon he warned that the world was being "ravaged by tyrants". Has he upped the ante in his war with the president? And as a man of God is he allowed to warn about unjust war - or is that a political intervention? And is this a beed Trump can't win? JD Vance has conveniently told him to stop pontificating on theology too. Later - three weeks out from the May elections is Reform on the wane? Is Plaid on ...
After Liverpool became the SIXTH English club to fall victim to Luis Enrique's all-conquering PSG in the Champions League - does their unique blend of intensity & swagger feel more and more like an indictment of Premier League pragmatism. So how do they keep peaking at just the right time in the season, why wasn't there more of a battle to sign the likes of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and which PSG star was deemed ' not ready ' for England's top-flight! Plus, on the news Andoni Iraola will be leavi...
MPs are voting again on a social media ban for U16s today - but the government has only committed to a consultation on the move so as it stands it's unlikely to become law. The clamour for the move is growing, and public opinion is strongly in favour of restricting social media use to adults only. So why is Keir Starmer dragging his feet and losing any capital he could gain from moving on it? Would a ban even work? And what impact is big tech having on our teenagers and children? Later, after hi...
Today, the United States has imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, with JD Vance describing Iran’s earlier actions in the war as "economic terrorism". As global fuel markets remain volatile amid the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, the stakes are rising well beyond the region. China has condemned the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as "irresponsible and dangerous". So, with tensions escalating and risks of spillover growing, could China be drawn into the US war in Iran? The News Agents is bro...
Victor Orban has held Hungary in his iron grip for the best part of two decades. He became known as the godfather of populism, overseeing democratic backsliding, media control, and the erosion of rights and laws. Last night, that came to an end. An old, angry, Putin-adjacent man was defeated in a landslide. What does this mean for hard-right EU populism? For Ukraine? And for the Trump touch? Are there wider lessons for how to win elections in 2026? The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - ...
The US/Iran war is now 45 or so days old. There has been much analysis, counter analysis, fire and brimstone about its causes, its effects and its aims. Iran has long been a security menace, but this war at the moment it began was a war of choice. Today Lewis speaks with Ali Vaez, an Iranian analyst, one of the few people in the West who can truly claim to know about Iran, its people and its bewildering politics. He tells us the many ways Trump completely misunderstood the country he has just wa...
Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta looking to be the 4th man in history to retain the green jacket. His Masters dinner was reportedly the 'most expensive' ever but it was without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson ... will he be able to join them both as back-to-back winners instead? Bryson De Chambeau is making his own clubs, Scottie Scheffler has arrived with a newborn son and Justin Rose is hoping to win and readdress 'cosmic justice'. Netflix's Full Swing's Dan Rapaport joins Mark in Augusta and Ga...
Did Israel ever sign up to Trump's ceasefire? Did Trump ever ask Netanyahu about Lebanon? The relentless bombing of the south of the country - strikes on bridges, cities, and civilian infrastructure - has left nearly a thousand injured or dead. So can anyone really claim that there even is a ceasefire in place? Today there are more problems with peace as the Iranian side retracts confirmation that they'll be attending Islamabad talks tomorrow night. And has Pakistan's PM even been brokering a pe...
We start with the good news - Iran wasn’t obliterated last night as Trump had threatened this time yesterday. So that’s positive. And an 11th hour temporary ceasefire is now in place. Iran has come to the table with a ten point peace plan. Will America accept any of it? Meanwhile Trump’s cronies are pretending he's won a war he may actually have lost. What has the world learnt about Trump, his whims and how to deal with him? Will anything change? The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - ht...
It’s becoming increasingly hard to distinguish between mad rant and nuclear threat these days. Trump has gone off again and whilst this time he was expletive free and managed not to mock Islam, he did threaten to destroy an entire country. Why is no one stopping him? And - dare we ask - what comes next? Later, Kanye is blocked from coming to the UK. Are we happy with the state getting involved ? And what is JD Vance doing in Hungary talking about election interference. The News Agents is brought...
Aden Durde became the first British-born coach to win a Super Bowl when the Seattle Seahawks masterminded a dominant display in California in February. His story is almost unheard of in sport - from coaching grassroots level here in UK - to the very top of the NFL . But what has made him so successful? How did a chance advert in a North London shop spark his career? And as the Premier League 's managerial 'merry-go-round' starts to feel more like a circus - does our beautiful game still have a l...
It's been another dizzying week of news and, as we head into Easter, Jon and Lewis stocked up on chocolate and headed into the studio for a special Q&A episode - answering your questions and dissecting some of the biggest stories in the headlines. Could Trump's antagonism pull Keir Starmer and Britain back into Europe? Is Tucker Carlson harbouring presidential ambitions? Would losing Congress have any impact on Trump's remaining time in office? And why Lewis has been getting the sh*t kicked ...
Trump warned his EU allies yesterday he wouldn’t forget their cowardice and refusal to help his Iran war. Today he went full throttle and said he was considering taking America out of NATO altogether. It’s not a new thought for him. But is there enough anger in him now to push it through? Would Congress allow it? And what will the rest of us do if we lose Americas defence? Later the appalling investigation into illegal care homes where vulnerable children are being abused by former convicts whil...
The episode delves into the diplomatic complexities surrounding King Charles's upcoming US state visit, which comes as Donald Trump publicly lambasts European nations for their stance on the Iran conflict. It explores the weakening of American alliances, Europe's growing independence, and the profound geopolitical shifts occurring globally, including the UK's defense vulnerabilities and a controversial conflict of interest. Additionally, the podcast unpacks Israel's newly passed discriminatory death penalty law for Palestinians, its symbolic implications, and the potential long-term damage to Israel's international standing.
The episode delves into President Trump's aggressive rhetoric and potential military actions against Iran, specifically threatening an amphibious landing on Kharg Island and the obliteration of infrastructure. It examines the risks, Iran's defiant stance, and the perplexing nature of Trump's "strategy." The discussion also covers the escalating global economic impacts, including Red Sea trade disruptions and rising fuel prices, leading to a critical look at the UK government's constrained ability to respond and the public's eroding trust. Additionally, the podcast highlights the "Matt GPT" controversy, questioning an academic's integrity amid accusations of AI-generated content in his book.
This special report from CPAC 2026 in Dallas explores the evolving MAGA movement, now grappling with a post-Trump future amidst declining popularity and the looming Iran war. The sunny optimism of past conferences has been replaced by a darker focus on new enemies, especially "Islamism," with attendees expressing concerns about Britain's perceived decline due to Muslim immigration and Sharia law. The episode highlights the role of figures like Liz Truss in propagating these views and examines the self-sustaining MAGA information and commercial ecosystem that fuels these narratives, ultimately defining the movement by what it opposes rather than what it champions.
The fan phenomenon of ‘ Ultras ’ has taken Scotland by storm… TIFO’s, flares and drums - like we’re used to seeing in Europe - popping up everywhere from the Old Firm right down to the 4th division. So can this sub-culture be a force for good in an online sphere dominated by the ‘ manosphere ’ or is it actually just another mask for something more sinister? Gabby & Mark are joined by Andy Hughes , host of The Crime Agents - who has spent time undercover reporting on football hooliganism in E...
This episode delves into Donald Trump's failed strategy regarding Iran, highlighting the lack of regime change, the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the dire economic impact on ordinary Iranians, as shared by an activist. It also examines NATO's reluctant response and the impracticality of further military action. The discussion then shifts to UK domestic politics, covering new legislation to prevent foreign interference in political donations and the controversy surrounding a Labour official's conveniently missing phone messages.
The News Agents investigates the 'convenient' theft of Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney's government phone, which may have contained vital messages with Peter Mandelson. The discussion explores political transparency issues, official misinformation, and the wider implications of disappearing government communications. Later, Professor Ibram Kendi dissects the Great Replacement Theory, its historical roots, its link to authoritarianism, and how it's exploited by politicians to blame immigrants for systemic problems, alongside strategies to counter its spread.
This episode delves into the suspicious market activity preceding Donald Trump's surprise Iran peace announcement, detailing how over half a billion dollars was potentially netted through insider trading. It questions the legitimacy of Trump's claims, which were refuted by Iran, and explores the broader geopolitical implications, including Israel's aggressive actions in Lebanon and the UK's response to Trump's influence. The discussion highlights political maneuvering, corruption concerns, and the uncertain future of Middle East peace.
This episode delves into Donald Trump's perplexing claim of a peace deal with Iran, which Tehran immediately denied, raising questions about his motives, from oil price manipulation to political maneuvering. It also examines the broader implications for international relations, UK-US ties, and recent Iranian-linked attacks in London, featuring an interview with Business Secretary Peter Kyle on navigating this erratic geopolitical landscape. The discussion also touches upon the UK's economic strategy amidst global instability and the Peter Mandelson controversy.
