The Daily T

It’s been a year since the shocking Southport attacks and the controversial social media crackdown that followed. Gordon Rayner speaks to Simon Pearson, a teacher who lost his job after criticising ‘two-tier justice’ in the case of Lucy Connolly who was jailed last year after posting about the summer riots on her X account. In a post on social media, Pearson, who taught adults at Preston College, said Connolly’s online comments were “obviously wrong” but she “should not have been jailed”. We hear how Pearson has struggled to find another job after he was sacked and why he is taking legal action. Meanwhile, Tory infighting erupts as Kemi Badenoch and Liz Truss go head-to-head in public. In a Telegraph column, Badenoch blamed Truss’s 2022 mini-budget for wrecking the Conservative economic legacy, while Truss accessed Badenoch of repeating “spurious narratives” to deflect from her own party’s failures. Tim and Cleo discuss what is really behind this clash and what it means for the party. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Labour’s controversial 20% VAT on private school fees has taken effect, over 50 private schools have closed, with many more at risk. The policy was meant to raise billions to hire new teachers, but The Telegraph’s exclusive analysis reveals it may have the opposite effect. In today’s episode of The Daily T, Tim Stanley and Cleo Watson speak to Julie Robinson, CEO of the Independent Schools Council, about how schools are shutting their doors, the impact on SEND pupils, and how the wealthiest families are avoiding the tax altogether by paying fees up front. And why is everyone talking about Sydney Sweeney and… her jeans? The White Lotus star is making headlines after a new American Eagle campaign and revelations that she’s a registered Republican - and now even President Donald Trump is getting involved. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Andy Cooke, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, has told the Sunday Telegraph that there is “every possibility” of rioting this summer, in a repeat of last year's unrest following the Southport murders, as the same ingredients that fuelled that disorder are still very much in place now. With anger at the housing of migrants in hotels spilling over into more violent demonstrations at the weekend, as well as the Telegraph's exclusive story that pro-Palestinian supporters are co-orindating in an attempt to overwhelm the police, are we on the brink of major civil unrest? Gordon Rayner and Cleo Watson are joined by Martin Evans, the Telegraph's Crime Editor, who's been speaking to sources within the police to find out how braced for trouble they are, whilst Cleo reveals how Downing Street may be unprepared with Westminster in summer shutdown. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it's the trans issue, net zero, vaccines and masks, Israel and Gaza or DEI, everywhere they hold power liberals are trying to cancel Righties and shut down debate – from university campuses to inside the civil service. Tim and Camilla are joined by American cultural psychologist Luke Conway, whose new book Liberal Bullies goes inside the minds of Leftists to understand why they can be such authoritarian bullies. We want to hear from you! Email us at thedaily@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK is calling for a crackdown on crime this summer, amid a growing public perception that Britain is lawless – and that the police can’t be trusted to handle it. Meanwhile record numbers of foreign sex offenders and violent criminals are being held in British jails. Camilla and Gordon are joined by former detective Peter Bleksley to understand what’s gone wrong with policing in the UK. Plus, this week the child rape scandal took a sickening turn when it emerged that several grooming gang survivors allege they were also abused by South Yorkshire Police officers. We hear from the lawyer representing the women. Read: Revealed: The true scale of foreign sex offenders in Britain, Charles Hymas and Ben Butcher Name 'Keir' dies out after Starmer takes office We want to hear from you! Email us at thedaily@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Britain could recognise a Palestinian state as early as September, but only if Israel takes “substantive steps” to end the crisis in Gaza. He has made four specific demands of Israel: end the “appalling” situation in Gaza and allow 500 aid trucks in a day, reach a ceasefire, “make clear” there will be no annexation in the West Bank and commit to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution. But Israel, the US and even hostage families argue that such a move “rewards Hamas” and “validates terrorism.” Camilla and Gordon examine whether Britain’s recognition would carry real weight on the global stage and hear analysis from former Home Secretary Priti Patel who has accused the Labour Government of not playing a leading role in key negotiations to free the hostages, get aid into Gaza or advocate for a proper peace plan or process. Meanwhile, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have urged Hamas to disband to enable the creation of a Palestinian state. We ask The Telegraph’s Jerusalem Correspondent Henry Bodkin how likely it is that Hamas will step aside as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s exactly one year since Axel Rudakubana turned up to a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance event in the seaside town of Southport, killing three girls (Alice Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King) and attempting to murder ten others. In the days that followed, the town was rocked by riots as tensions in the community boiled over, prompting a heavy police response and sparking a national conversation about online misinformation and social division. For the anniversary of the attack, The Daily T travels to the heart of the Merseyside town to hear how the community is remembering those affected by the horrific crime, and what’s changed in the year since the tragic event. Camilla is on the ground in Southport speaking to locals and faith leaders, including a local Imam, about the impact the attack has had on their lives and how they have rebuilt after the events of that day. And Camilla and Gordon Rayner speak to Ben Roberts-Haslam, senior reporter at the Liverpool Echo, who was at the scene in the immediate aftermath and has since worked closely with the victims’ families. Audio credit to BBC News and Sky News. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump certainly didn’t hold back in his advice for Keir Starmer in Scotland today: cut taxes, slash illegal migration, and lose the wind turbines. The men were expected to discuss the situation in Gaza and the US-UK trade deal after a lengthy press conference that became something of a one-man show. The Telegraph’s chief US correspondent Rob Crilly was there. Meanwhile there is one story Trump can’t seem to shake, even with a trip across the Atlantic: the so-called Epstein files. Maga watcher Curt Mills tells The Daily T that the controversial decision to not release documents about the convicted paedophile could bring down the president. We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find us on socials: @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the UK is set to introduce age verification checks on porn sites to stop under age people from accessing explicit content. An Ofcom report showed 8 % of children aged 8–14 accessed porn in just one month, showing a desperate need for change. But will these measures actually work or do they risk pushing young people towards darker corners of the internet? For this special episode of The Daily T, Camilla talks through the new rules and the recommendations made by the Independent Pornography Review with Rebecca Goodwin, an adult film star, and Shaun Flores, a mental health advocate and educator who was addicted to porn. We explore how easy it is for teenagers to access adult content, what impact it’s having on mental health and relationships, and whether new laws banning acts like strangulation in porn will make a difference. We also discuss porn performer and content creator Bonnie Blue, who has spoken about creating more extreme content to survive in a competitive market - and the uncomfortable questions this raises about what our young people are seeing about sex online. Producer: Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British Medical Association has confirmed that a five-day resident doctors' strike will go ahead. Medics will be striking due to a pay dispute with the government, with the organisation demanding a 29% pay rise - despite a 22% increase over the previous two years. We speak to Lord Professor Robert Winston, who resigned from the BMA - an organisation he’s been a member of since 1964 - earlier this month, arguing that the strike action will damage the reputation of his profession. Keeping up the medical theme, Camilla also speaks to the chief nurse of Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, with measles cases on the rise across the country amid an alarming decline in vaccination rates. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He is just the latest in a growing number of disaffected Tories turning to Nigel Farage’s party. Former Conservative chairman Sir Jake Berry tells The Daily T why, after 25 years of Conservative Party membership and 14 years as the Tory MP for Rossendale and Darwen, he has decided to join Reform. As well as acknowledging his role as a senior Tory in the failure of “broken Britain”, Berry attacks the Labour Government, accusing Starmer of gross incompetence: “the Conservative Party failed to sort it out over 14 years. I think the Labour party’s done a worse job in 14 months.” Berry also explains why it took him losing his seat to realise that Nigel Farage is the only man who can fix Britain and why Kemi Badenoch is “toast”. The former MP also tells all on migration, taxation, spending and why he has changed his tune on net zero. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Production assistance from James Keegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former home secretary, Suella Braverman, is the special guest on today’s edition of The Daily T. The Conservative MP and ex-attorney general explains why she thinks it’s time for the UK to leave the ECHR, how it’s thwarted our ability to control our borders and undermines the sovereignty of Parliament. Braverman also talks through the frustration she experienced at being “powerless” whilst running the Home Office amid a “lack of political will” to get a grip on illegal migration. She also takes aim at former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s “broken promises” on stopping the boats, and outlines why there could be “some truth” in Nigel Farage’s belief that Britain is on the verge of societal collapse. The former home secretary also explains why she remains committed to the Conservatives despite there still being “arrogance and complacency” within the party, as well as why she feels no sympathy for Rachel Reeves and her belief that Keir Starmer is “incompetent” and “a fool”. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Production assistance from James Keegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage is pledging to halve crime in Britain if Reform UK gets into the government. In a speech in central London this morning, the Reform leader unveiled plans for a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s justice system, including 30,000 new prison places and 30,000 new police officers on the streets. It comes as a new J L Partners survey puts Reform six points ahead of Labour and a staggering 12 points ahead of the Tories. He’s promising that no violent criminal or sex offender will be released early under his watch, and that foreign offenders will be sent back to their countries - or even jailed overseas in countries like El Salvador. Camilla and Tim were there to witness the announcement as Farage says it’s time to end “two-tier justice” in Britain. But will it actually work and how much will it all cost? And as Labour announces a massive overhaul of the water industry, including scrapping Ofwat the regulator, Camilla grills the environment secretary Steve Reed on our rising water bills. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Editor: Camilla Tominey Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Donald Trump threatens to increase his tariffs on China to 100%, how should the UK approach the second biggest economy in the world? Jeremy Hunt is joined by John Bolton, former US national security adviser and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Sir Simon McDonald, former Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Has Trump got the right idea? Will the UK’s actions make any real difference? And ultimately, can China be trusted? In this special Daily T series inspired by his new book, Jeremy Hunt pitches his optimism and ideas to leading experts on how the UK can change the world for the better. From mass migration to leading the AI revolution, we ask, can we be great again? Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Video Editors: Andy Mackenzie and Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour is sticking to its manifesto pledge, confirming that it will give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote at the next general election. Announcing the decision, Keir Starmer said that they were old enough to pay taxes and should therefore get a say in the running of the country. But have Labour just inadvertently opened the door for two politicians incredibly popular with the young – Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn? Camilla and Tim speak to Scarlett Maguire, founder of polling firm Merlin Strategy, who believes that Corbyn is the politician “potentially capable of mobilising and motivating this group”. Elsewhere, they also speak to Rachel Maskell, one of the four Labour MPs who had the whip removed yesterday for her part in the disastrous welfare rebellion, about what life is like under Starmer’s leadership and the “insulting and unprofessional” comments made about her and her colleagues by party sources in the aftermath. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Additional Production: Amelia Clarke Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was this the most expensive – and possibly most disastrous – email in history? It has been revealed that the details of up to 25,000 Afghans – soldiers who worked alongside the British and their families – were mistakenly leaked by a Marine in 2022. The Government at the time secured a superinjunction to prevent the breach being reported, meaning the £7bn earmarked to address it faced no scrutiny. Jacob Rees-Mogg was a senior MP back then and tells Camilla what he did and didn’t know at the time, who should take the blame, and if this was a coverup at the highest level. Plus, Chancellor Rachel Reeves just can’t catch a break! Not long after her big speech to finance movers and shakers, new figures put inflation at its highest level in 18 months. Read: Finally, the ineptitude I saw first-hand has been exposed, by Johnny Mercer We could not betray Afghan allies who fought alongside us, by Ben Wallace Producers: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He was elected in 2024 promising to end the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours, and less than six months ago halted the flow of military aid to Kyiv after giving President Zelensky a dressing down in the Oval Office. But Donald Trump now seems to have changed his tune on Ukraine. The President has announced that the US will resume the supply of weapons, via Nato, and also threatened 100pc tariffs on Russia if a deal isn't done. He also later told the BBC that he was "disappointed" in Putin. Camilla and Tim speak to former economic advisor to Donald Trump, Carla Sands, who blames "weak and flabby militaries throughout Europe" and a "feckless" Joe Biden for the current situation in Ukraine, and believes Trump will get a deal despite Putin not being an "honest broker". Elsewhere, Camilla and Tim speak to Conservative MP James Cleverly, who was making a speech in Central London about countering the rise of Reform, and ask him if he's on manoeuvres for a leadership run. Producesr: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two utterly damning reports into the BBC landed within a matter of hours of each today, calling into question the future of the director-general Tim Davie and indeed the corporation itself. Firstly, the failure to handle the behaviour of Gregg Wallace was laid bare in an internal review that saw the BBC admit that it could have done more to stop the Masterchef presenter. And then it went from bad to worse after a separate review into the controversial documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone confirmed that it had breached editorial guidelines on accuracy, having failed to disclose that the narrator was the son of a Hamas official. Camilla and Tim speak to former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale, who believes that Tim Davie “must be considering his position” and that “the funding of the BBC is rapidly reaching the point where we have to look at alternatives”. Producesr: Lilian Fawcett & Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the UK, over 70,800 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia. But what’s it really like to live alongside the disease? In this deeply personal and moving episode of The Daily T, we explore the realities of the disease with Martin Frizell, former This Morning editor and husband of journalist and broadcaster Fiona Phillips, who was diagnosed at the age of 61. The couple, who have been married for 28 years, have written a memoir together called 'Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's', opening up about the struggles they have both faced. Martin joins Camilla in the studio to reflect on the last five years of living alongside Fiona's disease, how their family has coped and the challenges of becoming a full-time carer. He also shares powerful insights into the current state of Alzheimer’s research and why he believes it's still not getting the attention it urgently needs. You can also read Camilla's interview with Martin Frizell: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/conditions/dementia/martin-frizell-interview-fiona-phillips/ Producer: Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It might not be what the UK is best known for, but is our burgeoning tech sector the answer to buoying up the British economy? And if so, what’s standing in our way? This week, Jeremy Hunt is putting his case for the UK becoming home to the next Silicon Valley to Clare Barclay, President of Enterprise and Industry EMEA at Microsoft and Chair of the new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, and Rohan Silva, Chair of Founders Factory in Western Australia - and former advisor to David Cameron. In this special Daily T series inspired by his new book, Jeremy Hunt pitches his optimism and ideas to leading experts on how the UK can change the world for the better. From mass migration to leading the AI revolution, we ask, can we be great again? Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Video Editors: Andy Mackenzie and Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.