The Standard

Millions of people are being urged to avoid getting close to others as doctors say the coronavirus outbreak is now likely to become a pandemic. In the UK, the number of confirmed cases remains at 13, but the Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned MPs in the Commons that the number is ‘expected’ to rise. Does the government have a plan to deal with Covid-19 if it starts to spread in the UK? Mr Hancock says yes, but few details have been released to the public. The Evening Standard’s deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil updates the Leader podcast on the global battle against the bug, and how ‘British politeness’ may prove to be the UK’s best defence. 

Just call me Harry

The Duke of Sussex has dropped his Prince title at his first event in the UK since his move to Canada. Speaking at a sustainability conference Harry is finishing off his senior member duties of the Royal family. The Evening Standard’s Insider Editor Lucy Pavia explains to the Leader podcast why the soon-to-be-former prince has chosen to do this now. 

Sing-Along-A-John

The Coach and Horses pub in Soho has been well known by Londoners for its heart-warming charm of weekly sing-alongs beside the piano. The pub also features in the Evening Standard’s London’s top 50.

Sadly, for the first time in years the pub will stop their popular sing-along Wednesdays tonight, until further notice. Ahead of tonight’s final gig the Leader podcast is joined by lead singer John Orchard who explains why these evenings have been so special and what tracks encourage the best belters. 

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An official report has concluded that politicians and institutions at Westminster ‘turned a blind eye’ to sex abuse against children for decades to protect their own reputations. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse say’s there’s ‘ample evidence’ of abusers linked to Westminster carrying out crimes – and that ‘nobody seemed to care about the fate of the children involved’. It also describes the failure by the then Liberal leader Lord Steel to take action against the late MP Cyril Smith as “an abdication of political responsibility” which occurred despite him being told by Smith that allegations made against him at the time were true. The Evening Standard’s home affairs editor Martin Bentham was at the release of the report and talks the The Leader Podcast about what it says. 

Harvey Weinstein’s ‘seismic’ conviction

Harvey Weinstein is in hospital. He’ll soon be in jail. Convicted of sexual assault and rape, he was en-route to prison when he complained of chest pains. He’s being treated for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. He is, though, scheduled to be sentenced on March 11th and faces up to 25 years. The case is being described as a ‘seismic’ moment for the #MeToo movement, but in the UK while the number of rape cases reported to police is up 65 percent, the number of prosecutions last year dropped from 3,034 to 2,343. Acting features editor Phoebe Luckhurst says the legal system in Britain has a lot of catching up to do. 

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A fifth person has died in Italy from Coronavirus, South Korea reported more cases over the weekend, billions have been wiped off stock markets around the world. Despite global prevention measures, Covid-19 is continuing to spread, and cause damage to both health and the economy. In the UK, Downing Street insists the country is 'well prepared' and the risk to individuals 'remains low'. But for how long can Britain keep the bug at bay? The Evening Standard's health editor Ross Lydall and consumer editor Jonathan Prynn talk to the Leader podcast about the impact and continuing threat of the infection.

Bernie Sanders wins in Nevada

After victory in Nevada is Bernie Sanders now the Democrat’s man to take on Donald Trump for the White House? There’s a long way to go yet, and he’ll have to charm a lot of sceptics in other States. With Super Tuesday on the horizon, our US correspondent David Gardner assesses the Vermont senator's chances.

Hilary Mantel has finished the Cromwell Trilogy

Hilary Mantel's final novel in her Cromwell Trilogy, 'The Mirror and the Light', is released next week, but Evening Standard critic Melanie McDonagh's already raced through her review copy. It's 854 pages long, but is it a fitting end to one of modern literature's greatest series?

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Britain’s top spy, Sir Alex Younger, has told the Evening Standard how teenagers are being recruited to MI6 as it battles to stay ahead in a new technology race. The agency’s lowering its recruitment age from 21 to 18, and appealing to the “best talent” from all social backgrounds in the UK. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil talks to the Leader Podcast about his exclusive story, including the secret visit by a group of teenagers to MI6 headquarters, and how they were given tasks including toppling an arms dealer called “Beetlejuice”.

Chilean gang’s targeting London

Chilean gang leaders are recruiting low-level thieves to fly to the UK as ‘burglary tourists’, raiding homes in affluent areas including that of TV chef Marcus Wareing. Provided with cash, a car and phone the thieves move in on pre-selected targets. Evening Standard reporter Liam Coleman joins the podcast to reveal how a joint investigation between the paper and Chilean magazine Revista Capital is raising questions about how easy it seems to be for these criminal to get into the UK. 

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Germany fears the rise of the far right after a neo-Nazi gunman killed nine people in drive-by shootings. Tobias R also killed his mother before taking his own life, and left behind a video and note expressing “extreme” views on immigrants. The Leader speaks to the Evening Standard’s Allan Hall in Berlin, who tells us this is the latest in a series of killings connected to the far right, and the neo-Nazis pose “a very, very dangerous threat”. 

Turner’s art: off the wall & into people’s hands:

One of the UK’s most loved artists, JMW Turner, is the new face of the £20 note. He is known for his paintings of the Thames, imaginative landscapes and striking maritime scenes, including his famed The Fighting Temeraire . But, he was also a radical of his time using his art to expose 19th century exploitation and slavery. An unveiling of the new note was held at the Tate Britain, which houses many of his best known works, and the Evening Standard’s arts correspondent Robert Dex joins the podcast to explain why this is more than just a simple painting on a bank note.

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The government says its proposed points-based immigration system is “firm and fair”. Business leaders warn it’s “a disaster”. The Leader speaks to the Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn to find out what the plans actually involve, and what their true impact on the UK and its economy could be. Will events like Wimbledon really be hit by a shortage of workers?

The National Theatre's new season:

When National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris was appointed, he made diversity his main goal. Now he’s confirmed he’ll do another five years in the job, Evening Standard arts editor Nancy Durrant looks at whether or not he’s achieved that. We also talk about the theatre’s new season, including the return of Small Island.  

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Can UK banks survive in the era of the US megabank? There are worrying signs with HSBC announcing 35,000 job losses, just days after a similar move at RBS. The Evening Standard’s business news editor Alex Lawson explains why it’s so important the UK negotiates hard with Europe for the city to remain the region’s finance capital.

Has Sadiq Khan found a backdoor to EU Citizenship?

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tells the Leader he has a solution for remain voters, mourning the loss of the right to live and work in the European Union. He’s been in Brussels trying to persuade Brexit negotiators to allow ‘associate citizenship.’ But the idea’s been dismissed as ‘unworkable’ by mayoral rival Rory Stewart, and a ‘gimmick’ by Shaun Bailey.

London Fashion Week: Reviewed

Is green the new black? London Fashion Week opened with a call for more environmentally sustainable practices in an industry that’s reportedly responsible for 10 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. As the curtain now comes down on the catwalk, Evening Standard fashion editor Karen Dacre assesses whether the message got through, and relives some of the highlights from the shows. 

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The US and Australia are among countries that have now vowed to get their citizens off a cruise ship moored off Japan, with coronavirus on-board. So far, the UK government’s not committed to the same action, but the Evening Standard’s deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells ‘The Leader’ British diplomats are scrambling to help the 80 British nationals on the Diamond Princess. Meanwhile, another 99 cases of the illness have been diagnosed on the ship, bringing the total number to more than 450.

Assessing the Damage of Storm Dennis

Also, Jonathan Prynn looks at the damage caused by Storm Dennis. London seems to have escaped the worst of it, although hundreds of commuter train services were cancelled or delayed as rail workers battled to repair the lines. More than 600 flood alerts remain in place across the UK, and storm season’s far from over.

Superman flies in at Museum of Childhood

And, the V and A’s Museum of Childhood, one of London’s favourite atractions, is about to get a £13 million pound refit. It does mean it will be shut for two years, but the reward at the end will be 2,000 objects going on show, including an original Superman outfit worn by Christopher Reeve. Arts correspondent Robert Dex has had a sneak preview, and speaks to the podcast about what’s happening and why. 

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There’s a worrying warning from grassroots lobbying group The Doctors’ Association UK that London’s hospitals are under-prepared for tackling a spread of coronavirus. Evening Standard features writer Sam Fishwick’s been investigating what would happen if the illness caused a pandemic in the city. He also advice for people to avoid the disease: do facemasks work?

Also,the head of the British Fashion Council, Stephanie Phair, has opened London Fashion Week with a call for the industry to tackle environmental sustainability. It’s thought fashion makes up to 10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions and around 85 percent of all clothing is said to end up in landfill every year. The Evening Standard says the industry can use its creativity to overcome the problem, and we talk to ES magazine’s editor-in-chief Laura Weir about to what to expect on the catwalks.

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Sajid Javid has resigned as Chancellor amid reports of a row between him and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. What really happened behind closed doors in Downing Street? The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy’s been finding out about the extraordinary battles between numbers 10 and 11, and reveals the nickname the PM’s advisors are said to have given Mr Javid. Also, city journalist Mark Shapland tells us how the markets gave their approval to the man moving into the job, Rishi Sunak and why the square mile’s happy another ex-banker’s taking on the role. And theatre critic Nick Curtis talks about Tom Stoppard’s new, and possibly last, play Leopoldstadt. He says it’s a contender for play of the year. 

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