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Battling UK extremism & social media disinformation
Season 1
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Emergency services report almost 40 police officers were injured as riots hit Southport after three girls were killed in a devastating knife attack.
Violence on Tuesday flared as crowds gathered in the north-west seaside town for a vigil honouring Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were all fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday.
Tensions were already running high in the wake of the tragedy, which escalated into violence.
A police van was torched and a mosque attacked by a far-right mob after false rumours circulated on social media about the identity of the 17-year-old male suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder at the dance studio.
In this episode of the Standard podcast, with our home affairs editor Martin Bentham, we examine how social media disinformation is fanning the flames of extremism.
Plus, why the British legal process won’t give you a suspect’s name or crime scene evidence immediately.
In part two, reporter Robert Dex with Paris Olympics 2024 analysis as Great Britain leap to fourth in the medal table with two more golds, in the men’s triathlon and women’s quadruple sculls.
More episodes
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How to stay focussed with Memory Grand Master, Mark Channon (Masterclasses from the Evening Standard)
16:41||Season 1Nicola Barron (Masterclasses) is joined by Mark Channon, productivity coach and World Memory Grand Master no less, to explore ways in which we can stay focussed and get things done. Plus, boost your power of recall with Mark’s memory technique.For all listeners we’re running a special 15% discount across all our classes this month, when you enter the promo code BACKTOSCHOOL. To hear our previous episode on how to thrive as an introvert, click here.
Prisons crisis: Could UK offenders be sent to Estonia?
15:15||Season 1The UK government is reportedly considering sending offenders to serve sentences in Estonian prisons to ease overcrowding in Britain’s jails. Although it’s not officially been confirmed, cabinet minister Angela Eagle says ‘anything’ is being considered to ease the prisons crisis.Our Courts Correspondent, Tristan Kirk, reveals what we know so far about this potential option, and discusses the urgent issues facing our country’s prisons.In part two, film critic Jo-Ann Titmarsh joins us from the Venice International Film Festival to give her verdict on Joker: Folie à deux, all the very long standing ovations, and the movies that should be on your list to go see.
After Grenfell inquiry, what's next for criminal investigation?
14:02||Season 1Bereaved families of victims who died in the Grenfell Tower fire say those complicit in the 2017 disaster must face justice - but face waiting at least a further two years for any charges to be brought.It came as PM Sir Keir Starmer issued an apology from the British state to families and survivors following the publication of a damning public inquiry report - amid growing calls to overhaul fire safety and building cladding laws.Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil discusses reaction to the public inquiry’s scathing report, next steps for the criminal investigation and the outlook for new building safety legislation.In part two, Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall has details of the expansion of contactless train payments to include dozens of commuter towns for the first time, and how it could see fewer passengers caught out with fines for buying the wrong ticket.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry: damning report & fight for justice
10:00||Season 1The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has delivered a damning final report into the disaster that claimed 72 lives.It found the west London tower was turned into a death trap in June 2017 by “dishonest” construction firms, architects and negligent politicians who ignored fire safety for decades.Bereaved families and survivors vowed to continue their fight for justice, with Wednesday's report paving the way for criminal prosecutions over one of the worst disasters in modern British history.A seven-year public inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, exposed how refurbishment prior to the devastating fire left the North Kensington block coated in cheap, highly flammable cladding and foam insulation - while warnings of impending disaster from Grenfell residents were ignored.We’re joined from the inquiry in Paddington by Evening Standard courts correspondent Tristan Kirk.
Israel arms suspension: UK decision backlash
11:32||Season 1The UK Defence Secretary has told his Israeli counterpart that the British government is ‘following the law’ with its decision to suspend around 30 arms export licences over the Gaza conflict.The Government says that humanitarian concerns and the treatment of detainees were among the reasons why they suspended some arms sales to Israel, amid concerns a “clear risk” exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.Nicholas Cecil, the Standard’s Political Editor, explains the decision and potential repercussions. In part two, our features journalist, Maddy Mussen discusses the rumours that there could be a potential plot to reintroduce Prince Harry back into the royal family… and why she’s all for the idea.
Ofsted one-word grading scrapped, now what?
14:10||Season 1It’s been announced that the one and two-word Ofsted ratings for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect. The Government said the change, which follows the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023, was needed to reduce the high stakes for schools and give parents a better picture.Darren Northcott, National Official for Education at NASUWT, gives his reaction and discusses whether the changes go far enough. In part two, the Standard’s culture writer, Vicky Jessop, joins us to discuss why Oasis fans across the country have been left feeling outraged over dynamic ticket pricing.
The Most Romantic Bus In London: Part Two (London Love Stories)
25:33||Season 1We're treating you to an episode from London Love Stories. What’s that they say about buses and two coming at once? Perhaps the same can be said of bus-related love stories, too. Host Katie Strick meets Rory and Charlotte, another couple who have a lot to thank the number 17 bus route for...
Venice Film Festival: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice & other big movies
10:59||Season 1The 81st annual Venice International Film Festival is officially underway. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 classic comedy horror, opened up the festival this week but there’s still plenty more to come from the event which runs until 7th September.Jo-Ann Titmarsh, freelance film critic for the Evening Standard, joins us from Venice to discuss all the hotly anticipated premieres, including; Joker: Folie à Deux with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Maria starring Angelina Jolie, and Luca Guadagnino’s Queer with Daniel Craig.Follow us on X or on Threads.
Professor Russell Foster on the science of sleep (Brave New World)
14:45||Season 1On this preview of Brave New World….Is there such a thing as perfect sleep? Leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford University, Professor Russell Foster, joins host Evgeny Lebedev, to explain the science behind nighttime slumber and why it's crucial to living our best lives awake. The pair discuss everything from sleep hygiene, napping, our circadian rhythm and body clocks, and the impact of technology before bed.Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here.