The Leader | Evening Standard daily

Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us the government’s fears of a new, as yet unknown, coronavirus mutation are behind its “timid” approach to lifting lockdown. Despite pressure from some MPs in his own party, Boris Johnson’s resisting demands to speed up the process saying the way out “will be “cautious but irreversible”.We hear how that’s causing a row inside Downing Street, but measures such as “Covid Passports” are being ruled out. Also, features writer Katie Strick gives us the lowdown on pregnancy for the famous in LA, following the Duchess of Sussex’s announcement that she’s expecting a second baby. Learn about the hospitals where a “natural birth” means not wearing make-up and which celebrity pals might be God parents to the new arrival.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Democrats have rested their case against Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, now the defence begins. After three days of evidence, including the showing of emotive previously unseen footage of the Capitol Hill riots, Rep. Jamie Raskin asked the chamber “what is impeachable conduct if not this?” The former president’s legal team is now mounting their case, which is not expected to last long. It could be all over by Saturday night. From Washington, The Hill’s Juliegrace Brufke joins the show to assess the evidence so far. It’s unlikely 17 Republicans will switch sides, but has the trial torpedoed any chance of another Trump run for the Oval Office?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matt Hancock says he booked a summer holiday to Cornwall “months ago” but admits there’s “uncertainty” about whether he, or anyone else, will actually be able to make any trips. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says the Health Secretary’s linking the success of the vaccine roll-out to whether lockdown restrictions will be lifted in time for the holiday season. We also talk about the rise of the ’Kent’ variant of coronavirus, which a leading scientist says could become the dominate strain across the world, for up to ten years. And we get an update on the vaccination programme itself, including good news about the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stephen Manderson, aka Professor Green, is a big advocate for opening up the conversation around mental health, having presented documentaries on everything from suicide to child poverty.  On this episode of the Leader podcast Evening Standard columnist Jimi Famurewa, sits down with Stephen to talk about the profound effect the pandemic is having on everyone’s mental health, particularly for children, and his thoughts on the impact of social media in our lives. Speaking from his London home, the rapper spoke about working from home and juggling two new businesses Aguulp, a supplement company, and Giz n Greens, a pizza business that he set up with his close friend and chef Gizzi Erskine during the pandemic. This episode is an adaptation from Evening Standard’s video series The Lockdown Sessions, you can watch the full interview here.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Democrats have set the stage for a historic battle in the Senate as Donald Trump faces allegations he “betrayed the American people” and is guilty of the “most grievous constitutional crime ever committed by a president”. We’re joined by UCL lecturer in politics and international relations Dr Julie Norman, who guides us through what will happen as the very chamber in which the January 6 Capitol riots takes place now holds the former president’s trial. Mr Trump’s lawyers say the entire thing is unconstitutional “political theatre,” but Dr Norman explains why legal experts have dismissed that, and what Democrats hope to achieve when a guilty verdict is thought unlikely. We also talk about how Joe Biden’s White House is trying to stay out of the drama, but that it’s exposed the biggest problem his administration faces: a deeply divided United States.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy joins us to explain the concerns over the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, as the Prime Minister says he says he has “every confidence” in the jab. It comes after a study of around 2,000 people suggested it only offers minimal protection against mild disease of the variant and, due to the young age of participants, could not conclude whether the jab worked against severe disease. Experts in the UK though say it does guard against the worst of the virus, but it’s possible the country will now need three injections to the ever evolving Covid bug at bay. Also, Joe tells us about the Standard’s exclusive IPSOS Mori poll, showing Britons would prefer Boris Johnson rather than Keir Starmer to be in charge of the rest of the pandemic and the subsequent economic recovery. He says it’s a problem for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who appears to be failing to make an impact with the public, even as the UK has a record coronavirus death toll.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Health editor Ross Lydall joins us to explain how two major milestones in the fight against coronavirus are about to converge on a single day.1.5 million people from London’s most at risk groups should have been vaccinated by February 15, which is also the day the government will start putting UK arrivals into quarantine hotels. But those strict border rules are coming under criticism, with some hotels unhappy about being forced to take people in and at the same time turn other customers away. Labour’s also accusing the government of being too slow to implement the changes, which come 50 days after the ‘South Africa’ variant was first discovered. Also, the Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic Nick Curtis gives us his five star review of 2021’s first theatrical blockbuster: ‘Handforth Parish Council’. He tells us how the cast of unknowns have made a “supreme” drama with their Zoom call set to the backdrop of a meeting in a small Cheshire town. He also predicts “You don’t have the authority, Jackie Weaver!” will become the catchphrase of video conferencing for the remainder of lockdown.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tells us how the coronavirus pandemic has “exposed the institutional racism” in the city, with BAME communities hardest hit by the infection. In an interview with Ayesha Hazarika, he describes how he recognised something was wrong as he wrote letters to grieving families and realised so many names were from ethnic minority backgrounds. He also calls for greater cross-party collaboration to beat the bug, citing the a video featuring MPs from all parties encouraging Black and Asian people to get the vaccine as an example of what can be done. Mr Khan also says he fears a mental health crisis is unfolding in London, comparing the trauma some are experiencing to that faced by the public during the Second World War. And he talks about how he’s using music, zoom calls and walks with the dog to help him get through an extraordinary time. The interview is adapted from the Evening Standard’s Lockdown Sessions series. The full-length video is available on our YouTube channel.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London’s public health director, Professor Kevin Fenton, reveals the findings of his study into the spread of coronavirus in London through the pandemic so far. He’s discovered that the capital’s Asian community was hardest hit in the second wave of the infection’s spread, and in this special edition of the podcast he explains why that may have happened. Speaking to our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, he also reveals that more cases have been found in women than men, and discusses the ‘South African’ and ‘Kent’ variations of Covid-19. He also tells us about when he hopes lockdown restrictions might start to be lifted, and pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War Veteran who raised millions for the NHS and has died after testing positive for Covid.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Political reporter Sophia Sleigh joins the podcast as scientists warn there may be other versions of coronavirus emerging. The Government’s former chief scientific adviser has said he is "more worried" about the South American covid variant than the one from South Africa. Professor Sir Mark Walport, who held the top advisory post from 2013 to 2017, warned that different variants were “cropping up” around the world.  Also, John Arlidge tells us about the one thing Joe Biden and Donald Trump agree on: ‘Big Tech’ should have its powers curbed. But how can that be done? He explains the difficulties in tackling social media such as Facebook, and the overwhelming dominance of firms like Apple and Amazon  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Political editor Joe Murphy’s back on the podcast as it’s revealed the more contagious ‘South Africa’ variant of coronavirus has been found in parts of London and Sussex. More than 100 cases have been discovered so far and surge testing is underway in eight postcodes, with everyone over the age of 16 being encouraged to get one whether they’re showing symptoms or not. It comes as the government announces its secured 40 million doses of a vaccine from French firm Valneva. Joe says the Prime Minister’s confident the UK will be the first country in the world to stockpile jabs for use next year. Also, our home affairs editor Martin Bentham discusses his interview with the Met’s deputy commissioner Stephen House, who says officers will continue “disproportionate” stop and searches of young black Londoners in an attempt to save lives. The robust defence of the Met’s approach came during a chat in which he also disclosed that around 300 knives a month were being seized during searches.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil joins us as the EU dramatically ramps up a vaccines row with demands jabs made in the UK are sent to them. It follows European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen demanding AstraZeneca publish its contract with the EU to deliver 300 million doses. The company’s done that, with redactions, but Nicholas tells us the fine print contradicts Ms von der Leyen’s claim that the agreement was “crystal clear.” He also says the UK government’s trying to stay out of the battle, which Brexiteers claim shows the country was right to leave Europe. Also, economist and former trader Gary Stevenson explains what’s happening with Wall Street after struggling US retailer GameStop suddenly saw its share price rocket. He tells us how investors have been hit by a “classic short squeeze” and warns it will happen again as the effects of the covid pandemic start to hit economies.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’ve all struggled with being confined to our homes for the past year. But what has it been like for Carrie and Boris? Freddy Gray joins the podcast to talk about the inside scoops he picked up for his article on life behind Britain’s most famous door for the Evening Standard. Learn all about the cabin fever, opaque political machinations and Rishi Sunak’s disapproval of his next door neighbour’s dog, Dilyn.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A special edition of the Leader looking at the decisions made by the government and others that have taken the UK past the 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths figure. Adapted from an Evening Standard article by Jonathan Prynn, we use interviews and archives to piece together what happened over the last 12 months and where things went wrong.From face mask controversies to the country’s obesity problem, we uncover a litany of issues that conspired together to pass that grim milestone. But we also highlight the progress being made including the new vaccines and the effect of the most recent lockdown to show there may be signs of hope emerging.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After vaccination minister Nadhim Zahawi advised millions of us to delay booking a summer holiday, the Leader podcast speaks to travel consultant Paul Charles about the state of the industry. He tells us there is “no plan” from the government to help a sector already struggling after last season was cancelled by Covid, and predicts more airlines and travel agencies will collapse. Paul also says so-called ‘quarantine hotels’ will be less effective in the UK than they have been in other countries and could lead to hundreds of millions of pounds being lost to the economy. Also, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, joins the show as pressure grows on the government to deliver a blueprint on how schools will re-open. He says there appears to be a division between the Department for Education and Downing Street over the best way forward, which is causing confusion for teachers and parents.And he warns further delays risk harming young people’s confidence, as they wonder if there will be any classes at all this year.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.