Share
The Standard
Cyprus rape case: British teen returns home – but what now? Plus BAFTA nominations and Labour leader race
A British teenager has been sentenced to a four month suspended jail sentence accused of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus. Judge Michalis Papathanasiou told her he was giving her a "second chance". The teenager has maintained that she was raped and said she was forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police. The Leader podcast spoke to courts correspondent Tristan Kirk on what the 19 year old’s family will do now once they’re home.
Shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has announced her position in the Labour leadership race and has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Sir Keir Starmer over lack of confidence in regards to Brexit. The candidates join Clive Lewis, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Emily Thornberry in the battle to lead the party. Political correspondent Sophia Sleigh joins us from the Standard’s Parliament office.
Bafta nominations
The Bafta nominations have been announced and for the seventh year in a row there are no women on the Best Director list. The Evening Standard’s film critic Charlotte O’Sullivan joins The Leader podcast to say BAFTA can’t get away with this.
We're here each week day at 4pm - make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing.
TRANSCRIPT:
David Marsland
Welcome to The Leader, the Evening Standard's, daily news commentary and analysis podcast. We're here at 4pm make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader
Hi, I'm David Marsland, a British teenager convicted of lying about being gang raped in Cyprus avoids jail, and the campaign continues to clear her name
Tristan Kirk
but her legal team made it very clear. She's going to continue maintaining our innocence and take the case to appeal
David Marsland
Our courts correspondent Tristan Kirk and what the 19 year olds family will do now their daughter is coming home. Also,
Sophia Sleigh
she was very much sort of nurtured in her career by shadow chancellor John McDonnell. She said you were likely to see me on the picket line as you are in the dispatch box.
David Marsland
political correspondent Sofia slay on the Labour Party leadership is Rebecca long Bailey enters the run. And
Charlotte O'Sullivan
the Golden Globes awkwafina one so the farewell other bodies are starting to get with the times and it's basta he's looking a little bit out of date
David Marsland
Evening Standard film criticCharlotte O'Sullivan says BAFTA can't get away with having no woman on the Best Director nomination list for seven years.
Taken 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 what next for the Brit teenager who denies lying about being gang raped in Cyprus.
Protestors chanted and held we believe you...
More episodes
View all episodes
Will Labour successfully fend off Reform and the Greens in the upcoming by-election?
16:57||Season 1The upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election is set to be another major test of Keir Starmer’s authority as leader of the Labour party, following the arrest of his selected former British Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson.In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s political editor, Nicolas Cecil, alongside chief political correspondent Rachel Burford, to lay out the possible outcomes of the by-election, and weigh up how catastrophic losing could be for Labour — and for Keir Starmer.
Is London’s latest measles outbreak containable?
16:50||Season 1Since January, there have been close to one hundred cases of measles reported In North London. The UK managed to eliminate measles via mass vaccination just under ten years ago. How did we get here, and how serious is this latest epidemic?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to child immunisation specialist Dr Helen Bedford, professor of Children's Health at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. They discuss how serious this latest epidemic is, the different factors that have led to the latest measles outbreak, as well as reality test potential solutions like keeping non-vaccinated children out of school. Plus, Tamara also speaks to the Standard’s trainee journalist, Niva Yadav, about how parents in affected areas are coping with news of the outbreak.
The beauty and brutality of the Winter Olympic Games, with Chemmy Alcott
18:50||Season 1The 2026 Winter Olympic Games has been historic for Team GB, with podium placements in snowboarding, skiing, skeleton and curling. So, what exactly is in the mountain air this year?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to decorated British ski champion, coach and winter sports pundit, Chemmy Alcott, about her experience reporting from the Winter Games at Milano-Cortina. They discuss the highs and lows for Team GB, the legacy of the 2026 Winter Games for British athletes, Chemmy’s recommendations for winter sports training facilities if you live in London, and of course, this year’s biggest scandals - both on and off the ice.
What comes next after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest?
14:58||Season 1Yesterday Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince and Duke of York, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his time as trade envoy to the UK. So, what’s next for Andrew, and how will the royal family navigate this hurdle?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s crime correspondent, Anthony France, to dig into how the justice system deals with the crime of misconduct in public office, and how the royal family might cope with a potential trial.Disclaimer: Andrew has strenuously denied wrongdoing and has not accepted any of the allegations. This is a very early stage of the investigation and reporting is necessarily limited.
Inside London Fashion Week: A front-row preview
16:23|London Fashion Week starts today, and the excitement is palpable. Julian MacDonald is back, Joseph are debuting a new runway collection for the first time in 8 years, and everyone is holding their breath for the Burberry finale.In this episode of The Standard, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with the Standard’s fashion editor Joe Bromley and lifestyle editor Jessica Burrell for a conversation about their expectations for the week. They share trend predictions, a lot of love for London’s designers, as well as recommendations for ways to enjoy fashion week - even if you aren’t sitting in the front-row.
Exclusive: Daisy Green co-founder breaks silence on Hampstead Heath café battle
21:08||Season 1The takeover of Hampstead Heath’s cafés has sparked bullying accusations, a legal battle, and impassioned petitioning from locals — with actor Benedict Cumberbatch weighing in. In today’s episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Standard journalist Niva Yadav about how the controversial café shakeup spiralled into much more than a storm in a teacup. Plus, Niva Yadav speaks to Hoxton Beach cafe co-owner Emma Fernandez, whose lease has been terminated by the City of London Corporation, and to Daisy Green’s co-founder Prudence Freeman, who breaks her silence on the takeover.
Does London need a tourist tax?
17:21||Season 1London is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the world. It’s set to get even more pricey this year with the introduction of a tourist tax that is predicted to raise £350 million per year. Is implementing an overnight levy the right move for London?To understand why councillors are backing the idea, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Councillor Claire Holland, leader of the London Borough of Lambeth and chair of London Councils. They discuss how much the overnight levy could generate, how the revenue might be distributed, and whether it’s fair to ask tourists to help fund local infrastructure.
Should restaurants ban influencers? With Jeremy King
11:29||Season 1Social media is flooded with food influencers hyping up viral dishes and sharing ‘hidden gems’. But rave restaurant reviews come with a cost — often the experience for fellow diners.In this episode, Jeremy King tells The Standard about the behaviour of certain influencers in The Park, and the new policy he has put in place to thwart disruptive content creation. Plus, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s Going Out editor and restaurant critic, David Ellis, for his take on whether influencers help or harm restaurants.
Are student loan repayments out of control?
19:08||Season 1Many of the 5.8 million Brits who took out a Plan 2 student loan over the past decade are now facing astonishing levels of debt, and the government’s latest salary threshold freeze will nudge more graduates into repaying more than ever. So, is it high time the system had a shake up?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s editor of the Londoner’s Diary and features writer, Claudia Cockerell, to discuss recent controversies around the student loans system, and untangle the soaring interest rate levels on repayment plans. Plus, Tamara speaks to the founder of Rethink Repayment, Oliver Gardner, who is calling on the government to reform student loan repayment plans to make the system work better for graduates — and the economy.