The Standard

An convicted murderer named John Crilly challenged the London Bridge terror attacker with a fire extinguisher despite knowing that Usman Khan was wearing what he believed was a live explosives vest. John Crilly told the BBC he was prepared to die to protect others and insists he is not a hero. The Leader podcast spoke to our Crime Correspondent Anthony France to discuss what John Crilly shows us about the importance of prisoner rehabilitation.Boris Johnson has cast his vote - and took his dog Dilyn to the polling station. The Evening Standard today is urging everyone to make sure they vote.It’s that time of year again where theatres across the UK host a variety of different Pantomimes to celebrate the Christmas period. Our theatre critic Nic Curtis visited the Palladium theatre last night to watch ‘Goldilocks And The Three Bears’ staring a host of stars including Julian Clary and Paul O’Grady. Nic tells the Leader podcast why it’s “indecently good fun” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the Evening Standard’s editorial today the paper urges voters to support Boris Johnson’s Conservatives on Thursday. George Osborne – himself a veteran of multiple elections as both senior politician and editor of the Evening Standard – joins The Leader podcast to discuss why the paper supports Mr. Johnson for Prime Minister. In the podcast, George Osborne reveals who he will be voting for – and why he might be tempted to vote for Independents David Gauke, Dominic Grieve or Anne Milton if he lived in their constituencies. Subscribe to The Leader podcast for the best in election comment and analysis. We’re releasing an election results special on Friday, in which our senior editors will dissect the result and ask – ‘What happens next?’TRANSCRIPTPRESENTER:                       From the Evening Standard in London, this is the Leader. PRESENTER:                       The Leader speaks to our editor George Osborne about how the newspaper came to its decision, and how he personally will vote in an election like no otherPRESENTER:                      In the very first episode of the Leader podcast, we spoke to the Standard’s Associate editor Julian Glover about the history, and purpose of the Editorial column – “It carries clear, sharp, opinions on key news stories of the day,” he told us. “to inform you and make you think…” And it was all leading up to this. On the eve of the General Election, this newspaper has traditionally backed a candidate to be Prime Minister – In December 2019… here’s what the Evening Standard thinks:ES COMMENT:This newspaper speaks for London when we say we’re unhappy with the two paths presented to us: Brexit under the Tories or national bankruptcy under Labour. Jeremy Corbyn is manifestly unfit to hold the highest office in the land. That has been obvious since Labour made the suicidal decision to choose him as their leader four years ago. The other person who could be PM on Friday is already in Downing Street. As with all prime ministers, the traits that propelled Boris Johnson to the highest office will inevitably be the ones that eventually force him from it. While he says he wants to “get Brexit done”, he knows that cannot happen: we are condemned to years of agonising negotiation which will end in us following EU rules we no longer control. But since Mr Johnson took office this summer, he has been more focused and more serious than anyone expected. And, just maybe, he can restore to the country the optimism and confidence that was lost in that referendum result he helped deliver. When it comes to the choice between Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson, there is no contest. Corbyn would be a disaster for Britain. The Evening Standard backs Boris to remain as PM.PRESENTER:                      Shortly after the column went to print, I knocked on our editor George Osborne’s office door, and asked him how the Standard came to its decision:DAVID MARSLANDGeorge, the Leader today starts off by saying that the newspapers unhappy with the past proposed to the people. Why is... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has written for the Evening Standard warning of “profound” economic damage if Jeremy Corbyn wins the election. But what about the Conservatives own plans? The Leader podcast ask the Evening Standard’s associate editor Julian Glover to take us through the Prime Minister’s proposals.A big accountancy firm called Grant Thornton has been hit with a fine of £650,000 over mistakes made in an audit of a stock-market listed company, however the identity of this company has been kept a secret. The Leader podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s city correspondent Michael Bow who explains the background behind the story, and why the name of the company should be revealed.***TRANSCRIPTPRESENTERThanks for listening to The Leader you can subscribe to make sure you get the best news analysis and commentary at 4pm every day. Now, from the Evening Standard in London this… is The LeaderPRESENTERHi I'm David Marsland. Boris Johnson's written for the Standard warning of profound economic damage if Jeremy Corbyn wins the election, but what about the Tories plansJULIAN GLOVERUnderneath all the noise The Conservative economic proposals are pretty modest, except for one big catastrophic thing which is Brexit.PRESENTERAssociate Editor Julian Glover takes us through the PMS proposals and….MICHAEL BOWThe FRC has room to use its discretion not to name a company now one of the reasons for this is to do with public interestPRESENTERCity correspondent Michael bow on the city secret this newspaper should be revealed.PRESENTERTaken 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: Why stopping Jeremy Corbyn is not the same as a Tory economic plan.PART 2PRESENTERYou've probably seen this Boris Johnson recreating a scene from love actually. [CLIPS USED] BORIS JOHNSON ELECTION CAMPAIGN ‘LOVE ACTUALLY’  JEREMY CORBYN READS MEAN TWEETS“I'll bet Jeremy Corbyn will be glad when this election is over, so he can go back to wearing his commy hat. The Labour leaders reading mean tweets about himself and his spending plans. Jeremy Corbyn isn't some kind of kind be magic grandpa. Quite the opposite in fact. Wow. Can someone tell me who Jeremy Corbyn is? the next prime minister”PRESENTERJoking aside the economy's been oddly absent from much of the election debate writing in the Standard today, the Prime Minister's trying to put it front and centre warning the damage to economic confidence would be profound if labour wins this week. Our editorial column agrees but argues Mr. Johnson has questions or his own to answer:LEADER COMMENTThe poll suggests there isn't going to be a majority Labour government. So a rather more important question is what a conservative government would do to the economy, what do we know? Ignore the noise. On spending, as the Institute for Fiscal Studies says, there would be little in the way of changes to tax, spending... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson is hitting Labour strongholds in the final days of this election. He says he’s taking nothing for granted despite a Survation poll showing him with a 14-point lead. In the Evening Standard, pollster Ben Page says a late swing from the Conservatives can’t be ruled out – and neither can a hung parliament. The Standard’s political editor, Joe Murphy, joins the Leader podcast from Westminster.London commuters have been counting down until the end of the RMT union’s 27 day South Western Railway strike. But more bad news came today as the RMT has threatened to continue the strike until after New Year’s Day. The Leader podcast thinks the Government should step in.Trafalgar Square became a sea of sleeping bags for the Big Sleep Out, as thousands of Londoners swapped warm beds for a night of rough sleeping to raise money for homeless charities. The Leader podcast spoke to journalists Hattie Brewis and Naomi Ackerman to tell find out why events like this are so important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dany Cotton's departure:London’s Fire Commissioner, Dany Cotton has been forced out of service by Mayor Sadiq Khan over her “insensitive” response to the tragedy in which 72 people who died. The Evening Standard’s Ross Lydall broke the story and spoke to The Leader podcast about the meeting with Grenfell families that forced the Mayor to act.Tackling extremism: The Evening Standard has been investigating measures to prevent extremism in the UK following the London Bridge attack last week. The dreadful attack has prompted a fierce debate about sentencing - but should there be more of a priority on tackling the problem at its root? Our Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham told the Leader podcast about his special report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has made a big election pitch for London, in an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy. Joe joins The Leader podcast to reflect on his conversation with the Prime Minister who, Joe says, was ‘laser focused’ ahead of the election which will decide the country’s fate beyond Brexit. M&G fund hits trouble The City regulator is facing a storm of criticism for failing to beef up its rules, after M&G, one of the country’s biggest property funds, said it was temporarily suspending dealing in its shares. Our editorial column says the excuse given – Brexit – is a flimsy one:Paris rail strikesParis has been brought to a halt by massive strikes over pension reforms. Almost every train has been cancelled and all but five Metro lines have been shut down. The strike has also hit the Eurostar. The Leader podcast spoke to Antoinne Metten from Paris about how the city is reacting.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nato is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a summit in Watford, but after all these years, are the threads of the alliance starting to fray? Donald Trump's cancelled a press conference after Canada's PM Justin Trudeau was caught on camera apparently gossiping about the US President. France is asking questions about America's commitment. The Leader Podcast speaks to the Evening Standard's US correspondent David Gardner.Also, Arts Correspondent Robert Dex speaks to the Leader after the Turner Prize was given to everyone on the shortlist. Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo and Tai Shani formed a collective at the ceremony in Margate. Has the competition that likes to shock gone too far? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s in townDonald Trump arrived in the UK on Monday night. He’s here for a NATO summit and will enjoy a reception at Buckingham Palace – but will not meet Boris Johnson. Our editorial today says Mr. Johnson is right to tread carefully this close to a general election, and Deputy Political Editor Nic Cecil joins The Leader podcast to explain why.Hope for brain cancerGlioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly adult brain tumour with 2,200 cases a year diagnosed in England. Former BBC executive Jana Bennett has spoken out to say that she is being treated for the disease and is working alongside the UK launch of the OurBrainBank app. The Evening Standard’s Health Editor Ross Lydall tells The Leader podcast how vital this initiative will be for patients and with researchers across the world – could it lead to a cure? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flowers lay on the corner of London Bridge Walk this morning where on Friday two lives were lost due to the terror attack. Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were attending the Learning Together programme when they were fatally stabbed by convicted terrorist Usman Khan.Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan joined the vigil at Guildhall Yard this morning to honour the victims, families, emergency services and those who stepped in to help stop the attacker.Many people are understandably unhappy with how our politicians have handled this attack, and want answers. The Evening Standard’s Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham explains to The Leader podcast the failures that led to the London Bridge attack – and says we should be careful to learn the right lessons.*For the next 27 days commuters on routes to Waterloo will experience disrupted or cancelled services caused by an RMT strike. On Monday morning cancellations, delays and overcrowding had already begun. South Western Railway has cancelled almost half of its usual daily schedule of around 1,800 trains. The walkouts will last up to and including New Year’s Day with the only exceptions being December 12 for the general election, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.The Leader podcast spoke to Jonathan Prynn from the Evening Standard – he explains why the Evening Standard today says the strikes should be stopped.****TRANSCRIPTPRESENTER:       You can subscribe to The Leader through your preferred podcast providers, so you never miss out, every day at 4pm. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader.PRESENTER:       Hi, I'm David Marsland. Our intelligence services work to keep the country safe. Sometimes they can't... MARTIN BENTHAM: There are 3000 active subjects of interest as another 20,000 or so, so called close subjects of interest unless you want to go down the road of having thousands of people pursued 24 hours a day, then you can't possibly have a fail safe system of trying to detect what's when somebody is going to do something so simple.PRESENTER:       Our Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham on why failure that led to the London Bridge attack must not lead to the wrong lessons being learned. Also...JONATHAN PRYNN:Overcrowding cancellation delays, not just for one day but for 27 workingPRESENTER:       The Standards Jonathan Prynn on the rail strike that's bringing misery to thousands.PRESENTER:       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 questions we should be asking in the wake of the London Bridge... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Several people have been injured in a suspected terror attack and a man has been shot by police at London Bridge in London.For more information as the story develops visit https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-bridge-news-live-gunshots-reports-station-a4300626.html Met police officer, Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams could be taken off the force after being sent, without asking, a video showing child abuse. She did not watch it, but she also did not report it. Now a former director of public prosecutions says Ms Williams should keep her job, and we agree. The Leader podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham.A fight at a Birmingham VUE cinema screening of the new London based Paramount film ‘Blue Story’ led to all Vue cinemas pulling the movie. They have now reversed that decision following a public outcry which was led by the director Andrew Onwubolu, also known as Rapman. The Evening Standard’s film critic Charlotte O’sullivan tells us why everyone should see this movie.******TRANSCRIPTDAVID MARSLANDThank you for listening to The Leader and remember you can subscribe and rate us through your favorite podcast provider. As this podcast was being put together reports started coming in to the Evening Standards newsroom of an incident on London Bridge, that incident as we're recording this is still ongoing. But our journalists Suze Cooper from our audio news team is here working on the story. What do we know at this point in time?SUZE COOPER (GOOGLE NEWS)Well, we heard that just before two o'clock today police were called to London Bridge. They've now declared this a major incident. The reports initially were of gunshots. We've since found out that someone has been injured in a knife attack, possibly more than one person. As we say, this is a breaking story at the moment. We're not totally clear on all the details. And we believe a man has been shot by police at London Bridge and yeah, there's total confusion in that area of London at the moment.DAVID MARSLANDAnd we're seeing a lot of reaction on social media, a lot of people sharing videos and images. It does look like pandemonium over there.SUZE COOPER (GOOGLE NEWS)That's right. There's a lot coming through on social media at the moment, on Twitter. There have been videos and photos as well photos of lots of emergency service vehicles just parked up there on the bridge. Crowds of people being held back on the on the footpath there. But also a video of someone lying on the ground, kind of being... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.