The Daily T

Sarah Pochin, Reform UK MP for Runcorn and Helsby, talks about being barred from a university debate and the fallout in her constituency. She discusses accusations of racism and transphobia and defends free speech. She also responds to Nigel Farage’s comments on working from home and weighs in on electoral timing and local campaigning.

Sir Keir Starmer has pulled his premiership back from the brink. The PM secured the support of most of his party with an uncharacteristic show of passion at a meeting of Labour MPs on Monday night – but, with local elections imminent, his position is far from secure.Camilla and Tim are joined by the Labour MP and Starmer ally Karl Turner, who says the “terribly cautious” PM needs to be “more normal” and focus on delivery.Plus, King Charles has thrown his brother under a Royal carriage with a statement offering his support to the police as they “assess” Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged leaking to Jeffrey Epstein.Could this change in tactic have anything to do with the monarch being heckled by the public?We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer was probably hoping today would be another chance to reset his premiership, following the departure this weekend of Morgan McSweeney, his chief of staff.Instead he's been hit first by the departure of Tim Allan, his director of communications, and then by Anas Sarwar, the leader of Labour in Scotland, who became the most senior figure from his party to urge the PM to resign.Camilla and Tim speak to Lee Cain, former director of communications to Boris Johnson, to find out what it is like to be in Downing Street as a government comes to an end. They also react to the news that Thames Valley Police are assessing claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while he was trade envoy.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing was meant to signal a reset in Britain’s relationship with China. Instead, it has sparked fresh questions about how far the UK should go in courting a global superpower accused of sliding back towards authoritarian rule.On today’s Daily T, Camilla and Tim speak to bestselling author Jung Chang, whose latest book Fly, Wild Swans traces China’s path from the horrors of Mao’s Cultural Revolution to the Xi Jinping era. Chang argues that Western leaders are ignoring uncomfortable truths about modern China, and warns that the country risks drifting back towards a darker past.She also reflects on her own extraordinary story: growing up under Mao, watching her father persecuted, and eventually escaping to Britain, where she would go on to write one of the most influential accounts of modern China ever published. So, as Britain looks east for trade and diplomacy, are we forgetting the lessons of history?We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganAdditional production from Annabel HoganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark MacDonald, a barrister leading efforts to refer Lucy Letby’s case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, lays out why he believes she is innocent. He discusses blind international expert reviews, criticisms of key prosecution testimony, added reports on contamination and false-confession analysis, and the aims of a CCRC referral and possible retrial. He also describes Lucy’s state of mind and life in prison.

Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough MP and Labour backbencher, rails against Peter Mandelson’s influence and questions party direction. He criticises Keir Starmer’s handling of the Mandelson–Epstein documents. Conversations cover restricted document release, concerns about security and foreign links, and warnings that Starmer’s leadership is precarious.

A deep political scandal unravels as connections between a senior figure and Jeffrey Epstein are examined. Tensions within the party and MPs' fury over vetting and potential cover ups take centre stage. Debate swirls about national security, missing records and influence over appointments. The fallout threatens a leader’s reputation and raises questions about long‑running party power structures.

A political scandal over alleged leaks and financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Discussion of how a senior Labour figure’s links could unsettle party leadership and vetting processes. Exploration of royal accommodation moves and reputational fallout for a member of the royal family. Short takes on legal thresholds for misconduct and who might gain or lose politically.

Andrew Lownie, biographer of the Duke of York, offers concise royal expertise. He discusses newly released Epstein files, fresh claims about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson, and possible leaks of government documents. Short, sharp takes cover alleged payments, compromising images and the call for renewed investigations.

Pooja Kanda, campaigning mother who fought for 'Ronan's Law' after her son Ronan was killed by a ninja sword. Martin Evans, crime editor who analyzes knife-crime data and trends. They discuss the rise of deadly blades like zombie knives, how online sellers and loopholes enable youth access, the law banning ninja swords, and wider trends and responses in UK knife crime.