The Story

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent at The Times, offers insider Westminster reporting and tactical analysis. He unpacks the resignations at Number 10 and the fallout from newly released Epstein-related files. He explores internal party tensions, calls for leadership change in Scotland, and who might benefit politically from the crisis.

Prince William is making his first visit to Saudi Arabia this week to celebrate “growing trade, energy and investment ties” between the kingdom and the UK. But with a number of sensitive issues on the table – from defence and intelligence sharing to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record – how will the prince walk the diplomatic tightrope? Should the UK be pursuing a closer relationship with the kingdom at all? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor, The Sunday Times. Sir William Patey, former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Julia Webster, Micaela Arneson.  We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Prince William to visit Saudi Arabia as diplomatic ‘secret weapon’Further listening: Travelling with the Duchess in a war zoneClips:  NBC, BBC, HM Treasury.Photo: Dana Chan, Getty Images.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.

Peter Conradi, Europe editor at The Sunday Times and author covering monarchies, lays out Norway’s royal storm. He explores the Epstein files, a high-profile trial of the Crown Princess's son, disturbing police findings, and how palace denials compare with new documents. He also discusses the monarchy’s shaken public standing and what it could mean for the royal family's future.

Helen Rumbelow, Times feature writer who analysed the Jeffrey Epstein files, reads and reflects on thousands of private messages. She explores how hidden exchanges reveal misogynistic language, the shielding of powerful men through redactions, and the networks that normalize cruelty. The discussion examines disturbing content, institutional failures, and what the files open up for women’s understanding of male power.

Steve Swinford, political editor at The Times with deep Westminster experience, breaks down the fallout from fresh Epstein files. He covers Mandelson’s long ties to Epstein and the uproar in Labour over Starmer’s judgment. They discuss vetting failures, potential police probes and what this means for Number 10’s stability.

Darryl Morris, Times Radio presenter and reporter who covers Manchester politics on the ground. He explains why the Gorton and Denton by-election has become a three-way fight. Short takes cover the constituency’s mixed demographics, local disillusionment and key candidates from Labour, Reform and the Greens. The contest is framed as a small-scale test of broader national political shifts.

Jeremy Langmead, MR PORTER content director who lived through prostate cancer, shares his diagnostic and treatment journey. Shaun Lintern, health editor with deep NHS and public health expertise, analyses national cancer outcomes and the new £2.3bn plan. They discuss late diagnosis, NHS capacity and waiting times, private vs NHS trade offs, lessons from Denmark, and the role of tech and measurement in improving survival.

Anna, a former Linden Centre staff member who speaks via a producer to protect her identity, shares firsthand accounts of ward conditions. Melanie Leahy, mother and campaigner seeking truth after her son’s death, outlines her fight for accountability. They discuss staffing shortages, reliance on agency workers, unsafe discharges, ward hazards and the ongoing public inquiry into inpatient deaths.

Kate Mansey, assistant editor and royal reporter at The Times, breaks down the DOJ’s latest Epstein document release. She covers the scale of the dump and how newsrooms tackled it. Short takes explore new material on Andrew, troubling emails from Sarah Ferguson, possible legal moves and what these revelations mean for power and secrecy.

Melanie Leahy, a campaigner and mother who fought to expose deaths in Essex mental health care after her son Matthew died, tells her story. She discusses chaotic ward conditions, failures to investigate alleged assault, discovering patterns with other families, and mounting a national campaign that forced a statutory public inquiry. The conversation covers safety failures, legal action, and the drive for accountability.