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Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins
Mandelson’s arrest, Face Coverings Ban & Nottingham Killer Failures
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We ask whether anyone can still trust Labour as the fallout from the Peter Mandelson story continues to dominate Westminster. After being released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct, the pressure on the government is growing - and fresh questions are being raised about transparency and standards in public life. Clark Vasey (Director, Blue Collar Conservatism) and Daniel Bruce (Chief Executive, Transparency International UK) join the conversation.
We also look at law and order and the politics of public safety after calls from Zia Yusuf and Reform UK to ban face coverings such as burqas and hoods in public spaces. Former police officer Graham Wettone gives his perspective on whether tougher measures would actually improve safety.
And we examine the wider failures in the mental health and justice system following the revelations surrounding the Nottingham attacks case. Julian Hendy, founder of Hundred Families, discusses what needs to change after it emerged the killer had previously been known to services.
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31:38|Joe Twyman (Founder of DeltaPoll) and Tatton Spiller (Founder of Simple Politics) join the show as Westminster faces a mounting political storm around Sir Keir Starmer and the fallout from the Peter Mandelson row. With reports warning of a potential constitutional showdown over the handling of sensitive files linked to the Epstein case, we ask whether this could become the biggest test of Starmer’s leadership yet.Plus, former Home Office Minister Norman Baker reacts to fresh controversy over immigration after proposals linked to Green Party leadership hopeful Zack Polanski sparked outrage, including claims illegal migrants could be granted amnesty, housing and financial support. It comes as new reports suggest French authorities are failing to stop a large share of small boats crossing the Channel, fuelling renewed criticism of the UK–France migration deal.Is Britain Still a Christian Country? Churches, Mosques & Free Speech Debate
31:07|Today Ian Collins asks Is Britain still a Christian country? After a series of controversies - from churches under threat and debates about religious identity to clashes over free speech on Britain’s streets - is the country changing in ways many people didn’t expect?Missionary Bishop Ceirion Dewar and commentator Fahima Mohamed join the discussion as Reform vows to block churches from being converted into mosques, a church fire raises concerns about the future of historic places of worship, and police defend a Christian preacher’s right to speak in an area described as “a Muslim area”.Then we turn to the battle over education and special needs funding. Commentator Caroline Farrow reacts to Labour’s plans to overhaul SEND support, with critics warning the reforms misunderstand what many children with autism and complex needs actually require - and whether mainstream schooling is always the right setting.A debate on faith, identity, free speech and the direction Britain is heading.Andrew’s Arrest: Monarchy Crisis & A Divided Right
33:01|Ian Collins opens with the extraordinary developments surrounding Prince Andrew, after his arrest over misconduct in public office allegations. Does the latest scandal mark a turning point for the monarchy - or will the institution withstand yet another crisis? Dickie Arbiter, former Press Secretary to the Queen, historian and author, Andrew Lownie, and former Old Bailey judge, Wendy Joseph KC, assess the legal, constitutional and reputational fallout.Then, the political impact beyond the Palace. With the Right increasingly fragmented and new movements emerging, what does a divided conservative vote mean for the future of British politics? Polling expert Sir John Curtice joins Ian to break down whether splits on the Right could ultimately keep the Left in power.Fight for the Right & the royal arrest
25:03|Ian Collins is back.We begin with the battle for the future of the Right after Rupert Lowe launched a new party, throwing the conservative movement into fresh turmoil. With Reform, Restore and Advance now competing for the same voters, who actually has the momentum - and who will ultimately win the fight on the right? Ian is joined by Mayuran Senthilnathan (former Reform UK candidate), Charlie Downes (Campaign Director, Restore Britain) and Paul Thorpe (Advance UK College Member) to debate whether the movement is strengthening - or splintering.Then, a dramatic development in the Royal story as reports emerge about Prince Andrew’s arrest. What does it mean for the monarchy and the wider Epstein fallout? Ian discusses the latest with royal commentator Michael Cole and writer and journalist Valentine Low.Who can fix the cost of living crisis?
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33:43|Peter Cardwell sits in for Ian Collins on the Afternoon Empire. He speaks with Mark Francois MP about Keir Starmer’s decision to delay local elections and his subsequent U-turn, as well as the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed deal over the Chagos Islands.The discussion then shifts to royal controversy, with Norman Baker examining renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew in light of developments connected to the Jeffrey Epstein files.Political commentator Laila Cunningham also joins to discuss Starmer's local election u-turn and what it signals for the months ahead, before then discussing the recent news of Matt Lucas' experience encountering pro-Palestine protesters on the London Underground. Insightful and wide-ranging, this episode offers sharp analysis and candid conversation on the issues shaping Britain today.