An internal Metropolitan police review has found the “racial harm” the force inflicts on black people is “institutionally defended”. Also, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned of a “rising tide” of “1970s and 1980s style racism” in the NHS and Britain more widely. What is the difference between racism and institutional racism?

And, the parents of the three girls murdered by Axel Rudakubana have condemned the parents of the killer for their failures to prevent the Southport attack. Indeed, Rudakabana’s father stated he was aware of the “small arsenal of weapons” his son had collected and was “ashamed” he hadn’t called the police. What is it like to be frightened of your own child and what help can parents get? 

This episode was recorded on the 7th of November. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Two prisoners were mistakenly released from Wandsworth Prison in the last week. William Smith handed himself back in to HMP Wandsworth today, while a manhunt is still underway for Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian national who is a sex offender. How can this be happening?

Also, 15 local areas have closed ADHD support waiting lists and another 31 that have introduced tighter criteria, making it more difficult to access support. What impact will this have on people with ADHD and what difference did a diagnosis make for you?

And, James speaks with Tom Cheshire, Sky News correspondent, who explains the investigation that has revealed that X’s (formerly known as Twitter) algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content and, in turn, right wing UK politics.

This episode was recorded on the 6th of November. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Following the first review of the national curriculum in over a decade, children will be taught about budgeting, mortgages and how to spot fake news and AI generated content. Sounds dangerously useful. What do you wish you’d been taught in school, and how do you teach disinformation discernment?

And, Zohran Mamdani is the new Mayor of New York City - the first South Asian and muslim person to be so. This is a significant blow to Donald Trump and the Republicans. James speaks with Ross Barkan, who collaborated with Mamdani on his own New York Senate campaign, to find out more about the Mayor.

This episode was recorded on the 5th of November. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Rachel Reeves has “no regrets” over potential breaches of Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise certain taxes in the upcoming Budget… why has she only addressed this and the fallout from 14 years of Conservative austerity, Brexit and Covid-19 now?

Also, experts have stated that women must be given clearer warnings on the potentially fatal dangers of giving birth at home. Is it selfish to demand a home birth?

And, Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney has passed away last night, at the age of 84. LBC’s Washington correspondent Simon Marks compares Trump’s Republican Party to that of Cheney’s, and updates us on the New York Mayoral election.

This episode was recorded on the 4th of November. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

A “32 year old black British national” has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder following a knife attack on a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening and a separate incident in London hours before. 

Following new guidance, police are now being forced to disclose the ethnicity of suspects in response to a rise in far-right speculation on social media. Why do people want to know the ethnicity of police suspects and should the police be telling them?

This episode was recorded on the 3rd of November. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Andrew is to lose his prince title and will be leaving his Royal Lodge home in Windsor. What are the Royal Family for, what impact will Andrew have on the monarchy and why are we expected to bow for them?

James is also joined by Emily Matlis, presenter of The News Agents podcast, whose 2019 interview with Andrew was a catalyst for his downfall.

This episode was recorded on the 31s of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for an investigation into Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she apologised for breaking housing rules when renting out her family home… Is it just party politics driving this story or should she have known better? 

Also, Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, leaving dozens dead. The storm was fuelled by warming oceans, while the UN confirms that ‘humanity has missed its 1.5C climate target’... Why aren’t we taking more action on climate change?

And, a university academic is to receive "substantial damages" after a portrayal of him in a Steve Coogan film about the discovery of Richard III's remains was found to have a defamatory meaning. Steve joined James in the studio to explain it from his perspective.

This episode was recorded on the 30th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Labour's Employment Rights Bill, which would protect workers against zero-hour contracts and unfair dismissals has been sent back to Commons after large defeats in the House of Lords. James digs into the details and asks why employers would vote against this.

And, the Government is defending its plan to use military barracks to house asylum seekers, despite these looking set to cost more than the hotels currently in use. They think it’s worth it to quell public disquiet around asylum hotels. But is it, and will it?

This episode was recorded on the 29th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The Treasury is considering a “mansion-tax” for owners of higher-value properties to help pull the country out of its multi-billion pound hole. Is this fair?

And, hundreds of asylum seekers could be housed in two military barracks as the government seeks to end the use of “asylum-hotels”. Is this good or bad politics from Sir Keir Starmer?

This episode was recorded on the 28th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

“It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”. Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s racist comments have even drawn widespread criticism - but many from her party refuse to label the comments as racist. How can we best discuss the increase of racism in our public discourse?

And, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a former asylum seeker and convicted sex offender who was released from prison in error is back in custody and faces deportation. Shockingly, accidental releases of prisoners have doubled in a year - how?

This episode was recorded on the 27th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.