The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show

Chris Phillips, former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, and Debbie Hayton, journalist and author, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss two tragedies - a stabbing in London and a school shooting in Canada.Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been left seriously injured after the attack in Brent, London. It is currently being investigated by a counter-terrorism unit. Chris Phillips discusses how to reduce knife crime, how to keep children safe, and how to improve policing to prevent incidents like this occurring again. Debbie Hayton discusses the Canadian school shooting, after the killer was described as a “gunperson” and an active shooter alert was described as a “female in a dress”. Nine people have died and twenty-five have been injured in the attack in a small village in British Columbia. The shooter was found dead with self-inflicted wounds.  Rumours swirled about the perpetrator’s sexual identity - which at the time of publishing was yet to be confirmed. Also: Chris Phillips on how pro-palestine protests are inhibiting officers from doing their job - as a report reveals that they are only on the beat for three days a week because of the demands of managing regular demonstrations. And Debbie Hayton on the Scottish National Party spending £1m on legal fees to defend gender self-identification in Scotland. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Karl Turner, Labour MP for Hull East, and Dan Hodges, commentator for the Mail on Sunday, discuss the latest Westminster psycho-drama as Sir Keir Starmer maintains his control of his job - for now. Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street Chief of Staff, resigned on Sunday - triggering speculation that the PM could either resign or face an imminent leadership challenge. But on Monday, his cabinet team unanimously expressed their continued support for Keir Starmer. That included both Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, who are both widely tipped as potential usurpers. Also: Karl Turner MP on what happened at a meeting between Keir Starmer and the Parliamentary Labour Party last night, Whether Keir Starmer is motivated by public service, If there should be a general election if we change leader, Dan Hodges on what we might see from the continued release of texts between Mandelson and government ministers, And whether potential leadership challengers - Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham - are ready for any leadership challenge.  Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Lord Foulkes, Labour peer and former minister under Tony Blair, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Keir Starmer’s chances of survival after Morgan McSweeney, No 10’s chief of staff, resigned. Morgan McSweeney and Sir Keir Starmer were previously inseparable. Morgan McSweeney followed Starmer’s rise to PM, after deciding that Starmer was the man to win power back for Labour during the Jeremy Corbyn years. When Sir Keir became Labour leader, he advised the PM on electoral strategy, which contributed to a resounding Labour victory in the 2024 general election. But he has been criticised for a failure to adequately prepare for governing - as the government quickly descended into chaos. He resigned following heavy pressure on Downing Street for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Details continue to emerge revealing the depth of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Also: Lord Foulkes defends Keir Starmer’s record in office, Darren Grimes on Reform’s plans for a shadow cabinet, And the whether Reform are being hypocritical about the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson to his role as US ambassador, given the Russian bribery scandal that engulfed Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform in Wales. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Baroness Claire Fox, independent peer and director of The Academy of Ideas, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss the political fall-out from Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador. At PMQs this week, Keir Starmer admitted to knowing Mandelson sustained a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein despite Epstein’s conviction for soliciting minors for prostitution.And Keir Starmer made a speech earlier in the day responding to a backbench furore that followed the release of exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and Lord Mandelson in the latest set of Epstein files. Also: Baroness Fox describes Peter Mandelson’s actions as traitorous - but is frustrated by the possibility that this could bring Keir Starmer. She would have preferred him to go over his ‘betrayal’ of British communities. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Adam Boulton, journalist and broadcaster, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States. He and Julia argue over Keir Starmer’s judgment - as Adam argues it was a risk worth taking to get Lord Mandelson into the role. He and Julia also discuss: Gordon Brown’s criticism of Peter Mandelson, Whether Peter Mandelson is a serial liar, And whether he should have taken the job, knowing his past. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

John Sweeney, journalist and author of ‘Hunting Ghislaine: Epstein, the Prince and the Presidents’ comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer show to discuss Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, government leaks, and whether Peter Mandelson can expect a criminal investigation. He and Julia also discuss: Jeffrey Epstein’s ability to manipulate, Whether Peter Mandelson is a ‘traitor’, How damaging this is for Keir Starmer, And why it seems to be one rule for elites and another for everyone else. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Dai Davis, former head of Royal protection, and Benedict Spence, Conservative commentator, come on The Julia Hartley-Brewer to discuss:New revelations about the links between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein, after a new tranche of files were released.The files allege Jeffrey Epstein made substantial payments to both Lord Mandelson and his partner at the time - £55,000 to Peter Mandelson, and £10,000 to his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.A photograph of Lord Mandelson in his underwear speaking to a woman also emerged. Dai questions whether the security service should have known better - and discusses who in the Royals might have known what was going on. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen and media billionaire who used his newspaper Apple Daily to promote democracy in Hong Kong. He was arrested in 2020 for sedition under new national security laws, and still awaits sentencing. Sebastien said he expects his father to see out the rest of his life in prison, unless there is diplomatic intervention. His son, Sebastien Lai, comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss: His father’s detainment. Keir Starmer’s visit to China, and whether the UK is right to pursue closer economic ties with the Chinese. And whether the UK should pursue more concessions from trade talks, after approving the super-embassy in London and the first prime ministerial visit to Beijing in eight years. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.

Liz Truss comes on The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show to discuss: Keir Starmer’s visit to China, whether he is ‘kow-towing’, the Chinese Communist Party spying on the British government, and what Britain stands to benefit from closer ties to the country. Liz Truss’ legacy in government - and whether she was ‘sabotaged’ by the civil service. Liz Truss’ record on fighting against lockdowns during Covid. What she makes of the political ‘psycho-drama’ and whether she has been approached by Reform UK. Keir Starmer’s pro-bono work that led to persistent, fresh inquiries into veterans. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.