Brexitcast

Today, Keir Starmer says it's "staggering" he was not told Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador.Speaking from a summit in France, the prime minister says he's "absolutely furious" and will update MPs in Parliament on Monday. Opposition leaders are calling on Starmer to resign, accusing him of "catastrophically poor judgement" and of being "incompetent, gullible or a liar. Adam and Chris go through the details and discuss how damaging this could be.And, we take a deep dive into the Scottish Parliament elections, with cost of living, immigration and energy top of the agenda.Adam is joined by Alex Forsyth, James Cook and pollster and director of More in Common, Luke Tryl to look at what the parties are promising as they go head to head in their first debates. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bb

Today, the Prime Minister has denied knowing that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador until earlier this week. Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to resign over allegations he misled Parliament and MPs when he claimed "full due process" was followed during the appointment.It came after the Guardian newspaper reported, external that Lord Mandelson was initially denied security clearance in late January 2025 but this was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure the peer could take up the post.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd News

Today, an undercover BBC investigation has found evidence of law firms and legal advisors helping migrants pretend to be gay to get asylum.Migrants were advised to take staged photos at nightclubs, attend LGBT events and to go to GPs pretending to be depressed to obtain medical evidence to support their cases. Adam and Chris are joined by BBC politics investigation correspondent Billy Kenber, who uncovered the story.In response to our findings, the Home Office said: "Anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law, including removal from the UK."Plus, Adam also checks in with Faisal, who’s in the US at the IMF’s annual conference. He fills us in on the indirect war of words between Rachel Reeves and her US counterpart, Scott Bessent.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with

Today, a former Nato chief has said that the UK's security and safety is "in peril" and Sir Keir Starmer's government has shown "corrosive complacency" towards defence.In a directly political intervention, Lord Robertson - who is now a key government adviser - says "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget." It comes on the day the IMF has warned the energy shock from the Iran war will hit the UK the hardest of the world's advanced economies. Adam and Chris are joined by Ben Chu from BBC Verify and Helen Miller from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the

Today, an inquiry has found the Southport murders “could have been prevented” if the killer’s parents and authorities had done more in the years leading up to the attack.The inquiry’s report lists factors such as a "misunderstanding of autism" and “failure in information sharing” as examples of the “systematic failures”. Adam is joined by Judith Moritz, special correspondent and Daniel Sandford home Affairs correspondent who have been covering the story.Adam also catches up with Americast host and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher after President Trump announcing a blockade of Iranian ports after the talks in Pakistan didn’t end up in a deal. This comes as President Trump has been publicly arguing with an unusual opponent… the Pope.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing

Today, we look at what the failure to reach an agreement between the US and Iran means for the war in the Middle East and the world.We also look at what stopped an agreement between the two sides, after differing accounts emerge.Victoria Derbyshire and Nick Watt are joined by political correspondent Joe Pike, who has the latest on the UK-US row over the Chagos Islands.And could an election in Hungary reshape political power in Europe?You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The hosts were

There are two massive stories to chat through today - the start of direct trilateral talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan, and the return of Nasa's Artemis II crew.Paddy and Laura are on holiday so Newsnight’s Victoria Derbyshire and Nick Watt host.To chat through news from Pakistan, they’re joined by Panorama filmmaker and foreign affairs and peace talks specialist Jane Corbin.And to explain what it’s like to return to earth from space, British astronaut Tim Peake.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news

Today, Adam is joined by Felicity Evans from Walescast, Alex Forsyth, political correspondent and Luke Tryl pollster and director of More in Common to take a deep dive into the elections for the Welsh Senedd. They look at the big issues on the agenda, and why polling numbers don’t always reflect how people vote on election day. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Ben Andrews

Today, the defence secretary has revealed the British military has responded to a month-long Russian submarine operation over cables and pipelines north of UK.John Healey says he deployed a warship and aircraft in response, and the Russian vessels were "monitored 24/7". He says there is "no evidence" of any damage to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic. Why are the cables so important? What was Russia trying to achieve? Are the UK able to stop them from doing this again in future? Adam is joined by the Defence Secretary John Healey. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guX

Today, we discuss the ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran. The deal was agreed last night just hours after President Trump had threatened Iran’s ‘civilisation will die.’ But Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, with the US saying it’s not included in the ceasefire deal. And, Vice-President JD Vance will lead US negotiating talks aimed at the war with Iran in Pakistan on Saturday. Adam is joined by BBC News chief presenter Caitríona Perry, chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and Parham Ghobadi from BBC Persian. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.

Today, President Donald Trump has warned "a whole civilisation will die tonight" unless Iran reaches a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Trump's threats come as we near a deadline he's imposed on the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by midnight on Tuesday. Adam is joined by chief presenter Caitriona Perry and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. And, Wireless Festival is cancelled after the government stops headline act Kanye West from entering UK. In recent years, West has caused outrage with antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi comments. Kanye West had offered to meet members of the Jewish community in UK before the festival was cancelled. Adam and Alex discuss with BBC news music correspondent Mark Savage.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.u

As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”.She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who first made the ‘not fit for purpose’ phrase famous.With the help of former insiders and home secretaries, we’re asking, if the same verdict can be reached twenty years apart, are the problems in the department fundemental?In this third of three episodes in the series, Adam and Chris are joined by home and legal affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani, to reflect on what we’ve heard, hear what the department is like to cover, and look at what Shabana Mahmood is looking to change things.You can now listen to Newscast on a sma

As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”.She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who first made the ‘not fit for purpose’ phrase famous.With the help of former insiders and home secretaries, we’re asking, if the same verdict can be reached twenty years apart, are the problems in the department fundemental?In this second of three episodes in the series, former home secretaries compare notes on leading the department. They are:- Amber Rudd, Conservative Home Secretary 2016-2018 - Charles Clarke, Labour Home Secretary 2004-2006You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say

As an Easter treat, we thought we’d give you something a bit different. Adam and Chris have got together to have a proper in depth look at the government department that deals with some of the most important and politically pertinent issues of our time - the Home Office. The idea came up in October last year when Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood took over and said it was “not yet fit for purpose” and had been “set up to fail”.She was channelling her predecessor of 20 years ago, John Reid, who first made the ‘not fit for purpose’ phrase famous.With the help of former insiders and home secretaries, we’re asking, if the same verdict can be reached twenty years apart, are the problems in the department fundemental?In this first of three episodes in the series, Adam and Chris are joined by former insiders. They are:- Hannah Guerin, former advisor to Conservative Home Secretary Priti Patel - Former BBC home affairs correspondent and Yvette Cooper adviser Danny Shaw - Former Permanent Secretary David NormingtonYou can

Electioncast is back! Adam is joined by senior correspondent Joe Pike, Scotland editor James Cook, and host of Walescast and BBC Wales’ money editor Felicity Evans to break down everything you need to know about the May elections. Elections for the Senedd, Holyrood and local councils across England will take place on the 7th May. Today, we look at what’s up for grabs and what’s at stake. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris

Today, Nasa has launched its first crewed mission around the Moon for more than 50 years.The Artemis II mission will last about 10 days and take its astronauts further into space than anyone has been before. The four-person crew will not land on the Moon but will circle it, aiming to set the stage for an eventual human landing for the first time since the 1960s and 70s.Adam is joined by space scientist, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and astronaut Tim Peake - who together host the podcast 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast br

Today, the Prime Minister has given a press conference warning that things are not going to be easy as the US-Israeli war in Iran continues to put pressure on the cost of living. His address to press in Downing Street came hours after the President gave an interview to the Telegraph, saying he’s considering pulling out of Nato. Adam assembles Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent and Michelle Wiese Bockmann senior maritime intelligence analyst at Windward.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings y

Today, it has been confirmed that King Charles’s state visit to the US will go ahead, despite more criticism from President Trump towards the UK. King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the White House in late April. The confirmation of their visit comes on the same day as President Trump lashes out at the UK and other allies again, telling them to “go get your own oil from the Strait of Hormuz.” The announcement appears to have been delayed, amidst political tensions over the Iran war and there had been speculation that the visit might not go ahead at all. Adam is joined by Asma Khalid from the Global Story and royal correspondent Sean Coughlan. Plus, the prime minister has given the British Medical Association (BMA) 48 hours to call off the six-day doctor strike in England after Easter or face losing 1,000 extra training places. Adam is joined by health editor Hugh Pym and senior correspondent Joe Pike. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to

Today, BBC Radio 2 breakfast host Scott Mills has been sacked by the BBC following allegations about his personal conduct.The BBC have not given any further details, saying only "while we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC." Adam is joined by Katie Razzall - BBC Culture and Media Editor And, President Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plats and oil wells if a deal is not reached “shortly”. Trump has also repeated his threat to “take” Kharg Island”, a major oil terminal off the coast. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts fr

Today, Laura and Paddy unpack what the government will do to deal with energy pressures caused by the Iran war.Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told Laura that the UK should invest in home-grown energy, but leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, says we need more drilling in the North Sea. They also discuss the policies on energy prices from other UK political parties.Plus, they do an update following yesterday's interview with Josh Simons.Apply for tickets to Castfest here https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026 You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.i