All this week we look back at the biggest stories of the last twelve months. Today: We ask Matt Chorley and Esther Webber to assess the standout moments from the most eventful political year in living memory.
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Guest: Matt Chorley, writer and broadcaster for The Times.  Esther Webber, Red Box reporter for The Times.
Host: David Aaronovitch.
Clips used: Guardian News online, The Sun online, BBC News, ITV, STV, SIXTY Minutes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2020: An extraordinary year in Westminster

The Story: the flagship podcast from The Times and Sunday Times. One remarkable story, told in depth, each day.
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The call came in the dead of night. “Are you on your own?” the man said. “I’ve got in with some bad people and they’ve locked me in a flat and they want £5,000 to release me.” The caller was Mark Menzies, the Conservative MP for Fylde in Lancashire.  The Times investigation reveals a litany of allegations involving sex, drugs and a drunk dog. Mark Menzies disputes all the allegations, and says he “fully complied with all the rules for declarations.” This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory Guest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Further listening: The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake.   Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk  Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: The Tory MP who allegedly demanded campaign cash to pay ‘bad people’

Donald Trump has made history yet again, as the first American president to face a criminal trial. It’s one of four criminal cases against him - and the legal arguments already have experts divided. But what about the woman at the centre of it? What’s her story? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story
Guest: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, The Times Magazine. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: Forbes, Fox News. Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial, according to Stormy Daniels

Police are investigating whether Labour’s deputy leader broke “any offences”, including under electoral law, after Tory MPs alleged that she may have given false information about her main residence - an ex council house she purchased - a decade ago. Rayner, who has promised to resign if she is found to have committed a crime, said she “followed the rules at all times”. But how damaging could this row be to her - and to her party.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story
Guest: Kate McCann, Political Editor, Times Radio. Host: Luke JonesClips: BBC, Newsnight, ITV, 5 News, Sky News. Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake

The Israeli government is considering its response to Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack over the weekend. Israel’s allies – led by the US – have called for restraint, so, as the world tries desperately to de-escalate the situation, what could happen next? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.  Guests:Samer Al-Atrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times, andGabrielle Weiniger, correspondent based in Israel, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: CBS News; Israeli Defence Force; United Nations; UK Prime Minister; Sky News; ABC News; Al Jazeera; DW News, Parliament. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Israel and Iran on the brink of war?

One of the world’s most successful rappers, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs is facing multiple lawsuits, with accusations from rape to sex trafficking. So what’s going on and who are the other famous faces being named? This podcast contains descriptions of sexual assault. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory Guest: Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Good Morning America, The Recording Academy / The Grammys, Law&Crime; Network, ABC, FOX, Firstpost, FREEDOMNEWS TV, New York Mickey, Vogue, J Nolan, CBS. Further listening: Will the mystery of Tupac’s death finally be solved? Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk  Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'
Music: Burna Boy, 21 Savage, Brandy / On Form / City Boys / Atlantic Records; Been Around The World / Puff Daddy & The Family feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase / Bad Boy Records; I’ll Be MIssing You / Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112 / Bad Boy Records; Notorious B.I.G / The Notorious B.I.G feat. Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy / Bad Boy Records; Family Affair / Mary J. Blige / MCA; No More Drama / Mary J. Blige / MCA; Bad Boy for Life / P. Diddy, Black Rob and Mark Curry / Bad Boy Records, Arista; Hypnotize / The Notorious B.I.G. feat Pamela Long / Bad Boy Records, Arista; Nasty Girl / The Notorious B.I.G. feat Jagged Edge, P. Diddy, Avery Storm, Nelly / Bad Boy Records, Atlantic; Lady Marmalade / Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink / Interscope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2020: An extraordinary year in Westminster

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