The Standard

A British teenager has been sentenced to a four month suspended jail sentence accused of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus. Judge Michalis Papathanasiou told her he was giving her a "second chance". The teenager has maintained that she was raped and said she was forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police.​ The Leader podcast spoke to courts correspondent Tristan Kirk on what the 19 year old’s family will do now once they’re home.Labour leadershipShadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has announced her position in the Labour leadership race and has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Sir Keir Starmer over lack of confidence in regards to Brexit. The candidates join Clive Lewis, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry in the battle to lead the party. Political correspondent Sophia Sleigh joins us from the Standard’s Parliament office. Bafta nominationsThe Bafta nominations have been announced and for the seventh year in a row there are no women on the Best Director list. The Evening Standard’s film critic Charlotte O’Sullivan joins The Leader podcast to say BAFTA can’t get away with this.We're here each week day at 4pm - make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing.TRANSCRIPT:David Marsland  Welcome to The Leader, the Evening Standard's, daily news commentary and analysis podcast. We're here at 4pm make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The LeaderHi, I'm David Marsland, a British teenager convicted of lying about being gang raped in Cyprus avoids jail, and the campaign continues to clear her nameTristan Kirk  but her legal team made it very clear. She's going to continue maintaining our innocence and take the case to appeal David Marsland  Our courts correspondent Tristan Kirk and what the 19 year olds family will do now their daughter is coming home. Also,Sophia Sleigh  she was very much sort of nurtured in her career by shadow chancellor John McDonnell. She said you were likely to see me on the picket line as you are in the dispatch box.David Marsland  political correspondent Sofia slay on the Labour Party leadership is Rebecca long Bailey enters the run. AndCharlotte O'Sullivan  the Golden Globes awkwafina one so the farewell other bodies are starting to get with the times and it's basta he's looking a little bit out of dateDavid Marsland  Evening Standard film criticCharlotte O'Sullivan says BAFTA can't get away with having no woman on the Best Director nomination list for seven years.Taken from the Evening Standard's editorial column this is The Leader. For the whole thing pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/ comment; in a moment what next for the Brit teenager who denies lying about being gang raped in Cyprus.Protestors chanted and held we believe you... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As thousands gathered in Iran for the funeral of General Qasem Soleimani, The Leader podcast speaks to the former chair of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugenhadt, and ask if there’s a way out of the crisis without conflict.UK drug crime and knife violence:Over last six months, The Evening Standard has been examining the damage caused by permanently excluding pupils from school. Our reporting shows a 70 percent surge in the numbers over the last 8 years, and reveals how that figure is connected to young boys ending up in prison, and knife crime increases in London. The Evening Standard’s Investigations Editor, David Cohen, joins The Leader podcast to discuss his findings. Golden Globes:Ricky Gervais shocked Hollywood again with his Golden Globe gags, but the Evening Standard’s Phoebe Luckhurst tells the Leader podcast it was the UK’s acting talent that really stole the show.TRANSCRIPT:David Marsland  Thanks for listening to The Leader of the Evening Standard's daily news podcast bringing you the best of our analysis and commentary. Please like, subscribe, share and comment, wherever you get your podcast from. From the Evening Standard in London. This is The Leader.Hi, I'm David Marsland. Huge crowds have filled the streets of Tahran as Iran mourns the death of general Qasem Soleimani and Donald Trump is doubling down on his threats. Is there a way out of this crisis without conflict?Tom Tugenhadt  This can either get much worse which nobody wants or this can be a pivot point. This can be a moment when the relationship can change.David Marsland  The former chair of the UK is Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugenhadt has written for the Standard and speaks to The Leader about the options for the Middle East, alsoDavid Cohen  12 year olds, who I mean that's an extraordinary young age to be sent to a school where basically you're like in a day release prisonDavid Marsland  Our investigations editor David Cohen on his special report showing how England's system for dealing with disruptive school pupils is pushing many into crime. AndPhoebe Luckhurst  He had a had a pot shot at quite a few people in that kind of opening seven minutes, many of whom were sat in in the audience grimacing.David Marsland  Rivky Gervais shocked Hollywood with his golden globes gags but our deputy features editor Phoebe Luckhurst says it was the UK acting talent that really stole the show..Taken from the Evening Standard editorial column this is The Leader for the whole thing pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/comment in a moment when next for the Middle East?With thousands listening in the streets of Tehran and millions said to be watching around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini wept over the coffin of General Qasem Soleimani .He led the prayers for the man around considers a hero for the US denounced as a terrorist and killed in a targeted strike in Baghdad. The move is threatening to destabilize the Middle East. But writing in the Standard today, the former chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugenhadt, says ridding the world of a source of violence could mark a turning point Mr Tugenhadt joins me now, and is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran have vowed to respond with ‘harsh revenge’ after United States forces killed Iran’s most powerful military leader, General Qasem Soleimani, in the early hours of Friday morning. Leaders around the world have weighed in on the attack, with Joe Biden comparing President Donald Trump’s attack order to ‘dynamite in a tinder box’. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged “all sides to de-escalate”. Donald Trump himself has responded with a mocking tweet aimed at Iran’s leadership. As the world waits to see how Iran will respond, The Leader podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s US Correspondent David Gardner to ask: does Donald Trump have a plan?The Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has written in today’s Evening Standard announcing that more police will be dispatched to patrol London’s vibrant crime spots. Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham joins the Leader podcast to discuss Dame Cressida’s comments.Popular fashion store Next has given the high street some hope for fashion sales, Business Reporter Joanna Bourke explains why.TRANSCRIPT:David Marsland  The Leader is delivered to your podcast provider at 4pm every weekday, bringing you the best news analysis and commentary from one of the country's most trusted newsrooms, subscribe to make sure you get it on time. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader.Hi, I'm David Marsland. The US has killed one of Iran's top generals.David Gardner  Now what there's a suggestion that there may be cyber attacks, there may be terror attacks. There is also a suggestion that allies of the United States could be in some danger.David Marsland  We speak to our US correspondent David Gardner as the world waits to see how Iran responds and whether President Trump has a plan.Also Martin Bentham  very young people who've hardly started their lives have there lives brought to an end.David Marsland  The Standard's Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham as met police commissioner Cressida dick writes for the paper to announce more police will patrol London's violent crime hotspots, and...Joanna Bourkeso they posted a 5.2% full price sales riseDavid MarslandBusiness reporter Joanna Burke on how next is giving hope to the high street the day before London men's fashion week begins.David Marsland  Taken from the evening standards editorial column This is The Leader. For the whole thing pick up the newspaper had to standard.co.uk/comment. In a moment Iran says it will take crushing revenge over the death of a top General, does Donald Trump have a next move? Donald Trump  Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He's weak and he's ineffective. So the only way he figures that he's going to get reelected and assures you sitting there is to start a war with Iran. David Marsland  Donald Trump in 2011, claiming... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a bleak start to the year for London’s commuters travelling in on South Western Rail networks as more delays are to continue due to lack of staff. The guards who took part in the 27-day strike have been off duty for so long that they need to retrain for safety requirements. This put hundreds of trains out of action on Thursday and delays will continue into Friday. The Evening Standard’s City Hall editor Ross Lydall joins The Leader podcast to explain what we could expect over the next few months - as well as some good news for companions of disabled passengers from London's mayor Sadiq Khan.Also, London's most well-known burlesque nightclub and gig venue Madame JoJo's which shut down in 2014 is going to reopen, the Standard's Arts Correspondent Rob Dex joins the Leader podcast.TRANSCRIPT:David Marsland  Happy New Year and thanks for coming back to The Leader. We have a lot planned for the next few weeks, so make sure you subscribe through your favorite podcast provider and don't miss out. Now for the first time in 2020, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader...Hi, I'm David Marsland. The RMT South Western Railway strike is over, but some of the guards have been off for so long they need retrained,Ross Lydall  You wouldn't be happy to be coming back to work on a sort of chilly January first day back in the office. You're paying more for your travel and then you're standing on the platform waiting for the train to come and it doesn't come and you just think they just can't get any more ludicrous. David Marsland  Our City Hall editor Ross Lydall on a miserable return to work for thousands and the fares have gone up too. Also, Robert Dex  it'll be a bit of living history in a part of London that quite frankly is a bit careless with its history and is forever knocking things down and starting againDavid Marsland  Arts Correspondent Robert Dex on the resurrection of Madame JoJo's. We welcome the return of a Soho icon.Taken from the Evening Standard editorial column This is The Leader for the whole thing pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/comment. In a moment the train debacle that's too serious to be a farce.The day had barely began at London Bridge station when the delay announcement started, a pretty miserable return to work for train commuters only made worse by this morning's average fare rise of 2.7%. That's a justified hike according to Robert Nesbitt from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies Robert Nesbitt  We're an industry like any other that's facing rising costs the staff bill, for example, but also fuel costs as well. What we want to do is we want to cover the day to day running costs of the railway to free up billions of pounds of investment for the public and private sector. But this is an average figure. It's still just below the rate of inflation and that's for the third year running.David Marsland  But for some passengers using Southwestern Railways, the increased prices were compounded by cancellations, the aftershock of a 27 day strike by the RMT union, and our editorial column can't quite believe it.ES Comment  The reason for the latest cancellations is the guards who inflicted the strike have been off duty for so long they need to be retrained to ensure that they are properly refreshed in terms of all necessary safety activities, the same applies to some drivers. the situation would be farcical if it were not so serious. It is yet another reminder of the damage caused by the union's... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a ground-breaking investigation by the Evening Standard into the UK’s painkiller use, drug companies will now publish addiction warnings on opioid packets. The Leader speaks to the paper’s Investigations Editor David Cohen about how this small change will save lives for decades to come.Also, we welcome Andrew Bailey as the next Governor of the Bank of England. Our Business News Editor, Alex Lawson, looks at the career of the man picked by Chancellor Sajid Javid to replace Mark Carney. And we reveal why Mr Bailey’s been nicknamed “the Big Sexy Turtle.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Queen has delivered her speech, can Boris Johnson now deliver on his promises? Our political editor Joe Murphy looks at the government’s agenda. Brexit is the predictable priority, but why is there an overhaul of espionage laws, and what happened between the Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn?Also, there’s been a dip in the number of people using public transport in London, but car use has gone up outside the city centre. The Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, takes a look at the figures and predicts a major clash at next year’s mayoral election.And, Cats, the movie based on the musical, is being critically savaged. We speak to film critic David Sexton who says it’s “nearly as obscene as the Human Centipede”. Plus, a bonus Christmas message recorded for the Leader podcast by composer and pianist Stephen Hough. Can you believe in Christmas if you don’t believe in Christ?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been 135 violent deaths in London since the start of 2019. That's a high not seen for eleven years. The city is in the grip of knife crime epidemic that authorities appear powerless to stop. The Evening Standard’s crime correspondent Anthony France talks to the Leader podcast about what efforts have been made, and what more can be done.  Also, the 45th President of the United States is set to become only the third in history to be impeached. Ahead of the vote, Donald Trump's gone on the attack, sending a 6-page letter to Democrat Nancy Pelosi, and comparing the whole thing to the Salem Witch Trials. The Evening Standard's US correspondent, David Gardner, tells us what's happening on Capitol Hill.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who can beat Boris Johnson? It’s the question the Labour party has to answer, but will it make the hard decisions the Evening Standard thinks are necessary to make it a genuine competitor in a future election? Our Londoner Editor Ayesha Hazarika, once a Labour spin doctor herself, thinks Jeremy Corbyn’s leaving behind a mess that could take a decade or more to repair. Also, with traditional events like Wimbledon combining with the glamour of the NFL, along with competitions like the ATP tennis finals, London is proud to be ranked the world’s number one city for sport. But is that position at risk from usurpers like Paris? The Evening Standard’s correspondent Matt Majendie’s been investigating, and talks to the Leader about how Brexit and other concerns may be putting global sports bosses off the capital.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC is under fire again, with the government apparently boycotting the Radio 4 Today programme, and critics accusing it of bias. The Evening Standard’s reporting BBC bosses are planning a big expansion of broadcasts outside of London to show the broadcaster’s listening to the whole of Britain, but with attacks also being lobbed at the license fee, is this now the time for a much wider modernisation programme? The Leader talks to our comments editor, Susannah Butter.Also, we reveal the extraordinary story of the late Standard film critic Alexander Walker who quietly amassed a huge art collection including works by Picasso and Hockney. Our arts correspondent Robert Dex tells us how when experts when to Mr Walker’s small flat in Maida Vale they discovered valuable pieces leaning on the kitchen sink, and propped up in a cupboard next to the vacuum cleaner. The entire collection is now to go on display at the British Museum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s election special we bring you the latest from our newsroom, analyse the results and discuss the Prime Minister’s next steps after winning a massive Commons majority.Boris Johnson has led the Conservatives to victory, crushing Labour, breaking the ‘red wall’ and securing his position as Prime Minister. The Conservatives now have the largest majority of any government in the last 18 years, bigger even than Margaret Thatcher’s in 1983.Evening Standard Editor George Osborne, Londoner Editor Ayesha Hazarika and Associate Editor Julian Glover were following the election drama through the night, and join The Leader podcast for this special edition to offer their analysis of this seismic shift in the British political landscape.What does Boris Johnson’s enormous majority mean for Brexit and the UK economy? And what can Labour do now in the face of such a dramatic loss? Listen to the podcast to find out.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.