Profile

The coronavirus epidemic is a growing crisis for England's chief medical officer. He has faced criticism from journalists, politicians and public health specialists. Mark Coles finds out about the life and career of Professor Chris Whitty. He is a physician, a plague expert and an epidemiologist. But that's just for starters. He has also studied law, economics and business. But how will he cope with a role in the bright political spotlight?

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has been accused of bullying civil servants.

The Cabinet Office is investigating several allegations about Ms Patel's behaviour, all of which she denies.

Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office's most senior official, resigned on 29 February, alleging Ms Patel's conduct towards staff included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands". Since then, similar allegations have emerged from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for International Development.

Mark Coles delves into the life and times of the ambitious daughter of Indian newsagents, who wants to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher.

Producer: Ruth Alexander

The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator is hardly a household name and until very recently this former diplomat had no public profile at all.

Presenter: Edward Stourton

Producers: Eleanor Biggs, Kate Lamble, Olga Smirnova, and Phoebe Keane

The manager who's put Liverpool Football Club on the path to winning the treble and has lead them to so many victories, their lead at the top of the table is the biggest in premier league history. But he wasn't always this successful. When he was a young footballer at Mainz 05 in Germany, his former team mate Guido Shafer says he 'had no talent'. So what can we learn from his childhood in Germany's Black Forest? How did he become the manager he is today?

Presenter: Becky Milligan

Thanks to BBC 5 Live podcast: At Home With Colin Murray and SWR.

Appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer within just five years of becoming an MP, Rishi Sunak's rise has been rapid. He was parachuted into a safe seat for the Conservative party during the 2015 election and his trajectory has been skywards ever since. However, he takes office under difficult circumstances, the post only became vacant as former Chancellor Sajid Javid rejected the prime minister's order to fire his team of aides, saying "no self-respecting minister" could accept such a condition. So can Rishi Sunak take the helm and will he stand up to the Prime Minister?

The citizen journalist behind the highly acclaimed film 'For Sama', which tells the story of life, love and motherhood in war-torn Aleppo.

Already the winner of 25 awards, including a BAFTA, the documentary is now in the running for an Oscar.

Mark Coles reveals the extraordinary life of the Syrian student compelled to capture the daily lives of citizens trapped in the terror of civil war.

Producers: Phoebe Keane & Diane Richardson

The US Secretary of State caught up in the Ukraine impeachment scandal.

Mike Pompeo has a lot on his plate. He’s at the centre of the impeachment investigation into US President Donald Trump, who’s accused of breaking the law by pressuring Ukraine's president to dig up damaging information on a political rival. He’s pressuring the UK government to look again at its decision to give Chinese company Huawei a role in its 5G mobile phone network. And he’s facing criticism for refusing an extradition request relating to the death of British teenager Harry Dunn. In the week Mike Pompeo visits both the UK and Ukraine, Edward Stourton investigates the life and record of America’s top diplomat.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

The young, black cellist from Nottingham making chart history.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason was the first ever black winner of the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year. He performed with the eyes of the world looking on at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. And now he's become the first ever cellist to reach the UK’s top 10 album chart. Who is the 20-year-old making classical accessible? Mark Coles finds out from those who know him best.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

The judge taking up the presidency of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom as tensions with the government simmer.

British judges have been under attack like never before in recent years, described as “enemies of the people” by one newspaper. The Supreme Court was accused by Downing Street of making “a serious mistake” in its ruling on the prorogation of Parliament.

The Conservative Party’s election manifesto promised ominously to look at “the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts”.

The role of the country’s most senior judge has arguably never been more important.

So who is Lord Reed? Mark Coles investigates.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson

The Australian prime minister feeling the heat over his response to his country’s bushfire crisis.

Pilloried for holidaying in Hawaii while his homeland burned, then heckled on camera by angry victims, Scott Morrison has been making international headlines for all the wrong reasons. It’s not been good PR for someone with a background in marketing and tourism. Mark Coles unpicks the character of Australia’s man of the moment.

Producers: Simon Maybin & Diane Richardson