The Standard

Dany Cotton's departure:

London’s Fire Commissioner, Dany Cotton has been forced out of service by Mayor Sadiq Khan over her “insensitive” response to the tragedy in which 72 people who died. The Evening Standard’s Ross Lydall broke the story and spoke to The Leader podcast about the meeting with Grenfell families that forced the Mayor to act.

Tackling extremism:

The Evening Standard has been investigating measures to prevent extremism in the UK following the London Bridge attack last week. The dreadful attack has prompted a fierce debate about sentencing - but should there be more of a priority on tackling the problem at its root? Our Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham told the Leader podcast about his special report.

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Boris Johnson has made a big election pitch for London, in an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy. Joe joins The Leader podcast to reflect on his conversation with the Prime Minister who, Joe says, was ‘laser focused’ ahead of the election which will decide the country’s fate beyond Brexit.

 M&G fund hits trouble 

The City regulator is facing a storm of criticism for failing to beef up its rules, after M&G, one of the country’s biggest property funds, said it was temporarily suspending dealing in its shares. Our editorial column says the excuse given – Brexit – is a flimsy one:

Paris rail strikes

Paris has been brought to a halt by massive strikes over pension reforms. Almost every train has been cancelled and all but five Metro lines have been shut down. The strike has also hit the Eurostar. The Leader podcast spoke to Antoinne Metten from Paris about how the city is reacting.

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Nato is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a summit in Watford, but after all these years, are the threads of the alliance starting to fray? Donald Trump's cancelled a press conference after Canada's PM Justin Trudeau was caught on camera apparently gossiping about the US President. France is asking questions about America's commitment. The Leader Podcast speaks to the Evening Standard's US correspondent David Gardner.

Also, Arts Correspondent Robert Dex speaks to the Leader after the Turner Prize was given to everyone on the shortlist. Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo and Tai Shani formed a collective at the ceremony in Margate. Has the competition that likes to shock gone too far?

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Trump’s in town

Donald Trump arrived in the UK on Monday night. He’s here for a NATO summit and will enjoy a reception at Buckingham Palace – but will not meet Boris Johnson. Our editorial today says Mr. Johnson is right to tread carefully this close to a general election, and Deputy Political Editor Nic Cecil joins The Leader podcast to explain why.

Hope for brain cancer

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly adult brain tumour with 2,200 cases a year diagnosed in England. Former BBC executive Jana Bennett has spoken out to say that she is being treated for the disease and is working alongside the UK launch of the OurBrainBank app. The Evening Standard’s Health Editor Ross Lydall tells The Leader podcast how vital this initiative will be for patients and with researchers across the world – could it lead to a cure?

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Flowers lay on the corner of London Bridge Walk this morning where on Friday two lives were lost due to the terror attack. Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were attending the Learning Together programme when they were fatally stabbed by convicted terrorist Usman Khan.

Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan joined the vigil at Guildhall Yard this morning to honour the victims, families, emergency services and those who stepped in to help stop the attacker.

Many people are understandably unhappy with how our politicians have handled this attack, and want answers. The Evening Standard’s Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham explains to The Leader podcast the failures that led to the London Bridge attack – and says we should be careful to learn the right lessons.

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For the next 27 days commuters on routes to Waterloo will experience disrupted or cancelled services caused by an RMT strike. On Monday morning cancellations, delays and overcrowding had already begun. South Western Railway has cancelled almost half of its usual daily schedule of around 1,800 trains. 

The walkouts will last up to and including New Year’s Day with the only exceptions being December 12 for the general election, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The Leader podcast spoke to Jonathan Prynn from the Evening Standard – he explains why the Evening Standard today says the strikes should be stopped.

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TRANSCRIPT

PRESENTER:       

You can subscribe to The Leader through your preferred podcast providers, so you never miss out, every day at 4pm. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader.

PRESENTER:       

Hi, I'm David Marsland.

Our intelligence services work to keep the country safe. Sometimes they can't...

MARTIN BENTHAM:

There are 3000 active subjects of interest as another 20,000 or so, so called close subjects of interest unless you want to go down the road of having thousands of people pursued 24 hours a day, then you can't possibly have a fail safe system of trying to detect what's when somebody is going to do something so simple.

PRESENTER:       

Our Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham on why failure that led to the London Bridge attack must not lead to the wrong lessons being learned. Also...

JONATHAN PRYNN:

Overcrowding cancellation delays, not just for one day but for 27 working

PRESENTER:       

The Standards Jonathan Prynn on the rail strike that's bringing misery to thousands.

PRESENTER:       

Taken from the Evening Standard editorial column, this is The Leader. For the whole thing pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/comment. In a moment the questions we should be asking in the wake of the London Bridge...

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Several people have been injured in a suspected terror attack and a man has been shot by police at London Bridge in London.

For more information as the story develops visit https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-bridge-news-live-gunshots-reports-station-a4300626.html

Met police officer, Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams could be taken off the force after being sent, without asking, a video showing child abuse. She did not watch it, but she also did not report it. Now a former director of public prosecutions says Ms Williams should keep her job, and we agree. The Leader podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s Home Affairs editor Martin Bentham.

A fight at a Birmingham VUE cinema screening of the new London based Paramount film ‘Blue Story’ led to all Vue cinemas pulling the movie. They have now reversed that decision following a public outcry which was led by the director Andrew Onwubolu, also known as Rapman. The Evening Standard’s film critic Charlotte O’sullivan tells us why everyone should see this movie.

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TRANSCRIPT

DAVID MARSLAND

Thank you for listening to The Leader and remember you can subscribe and rate us through your favorite podcast provider. As this podcast was being put together reports started coming in to the Evening Standards newsroom of an incident on London Bridge, that incident as we're recording this is still ongoing. But our journalists Suze Cooper from our audio news team is here working on the story. What do we know at this point in time?

SUZE COOPER (GOOGLE NEWS)

Well, we heard that just before two o'clock today police were called to London Bridge. They've now declared this a major incident. The reports initially were of gunshots. We've since found out that someone has been injured in a knife attack, possibly more than one person. As we say, this is a breaking story at the moment. We're not totally clear on all the details. And we believe a man has been shot by police at London Bridge and yeah, there's total confusion in that area of London at the moment.

DAVID MARSLAND

And we're seeing a lot of reaction on social media, a lot of people sharing videos and images. It does look like pandemonium over there.

SUZE COOPER (GOOGLE NEWS)

That's right. There's a lot coming through on social media at the moment, on Twitter. There have been videos and photos as well photos of lots of emergency service vehicles just parked up there on the bridge. Crowds of people being held back on the on the footpath there. But also a video of someone lying on the ground, kind of being...

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If you’re a big supporter of Labour winning the Christmas election then buckle up as it really isn’t looking too good for them. According to a survey based on YouGov polling they are headed towards a huge defeat. Things might change if there is a late surge in voter registration but so far so it looks as though they are set to lose both Kensington in London, Dagenham and Rainham which have been a big supporter of Labour for decades.

It’s not that the public are enthusiastic about Boris Johnson and The Conservatives or that they aren’t looking for change. It is simply that they do not like or trust Jeremy Corbyn.

The Leader podcast have spoken to The Evening Standard’s Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika.

It’s been 19 years since 10 year old Damilola Taylor was stabbed to death on his way home from a library in Peckham. Despite years of campaigning to tackle youth crime, his father Richard Herring told the Evening Standard that society has now become “normalised” to it. The Evening Standard’s Crime Correspondent Anthony France spoke to Richard about what they are doing as a family to continue Damilola’s legacy, supporting the Violence Reduction Unit in London and plans to support trainee doctors.

Huge Victorian gas holders were once gleaming iron towers dotted around the city. Now they look to shape London’s skyline long after anyone can remember why they were built in the first place. One on the Old Kent Road is to be kept as the centre of a new housing development and The Leader podcast spoke to The Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn about what’s so special about this gas holder.

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TRANSCRIPT

PRESENTER:

Thanks for listening to the leader you can subscribe and rate from your favorite podcast provider. Now from the Evening Standard in London, this is the leader for

PRESENTER:

Hi I'm David Marsland Labour is in trouble and Jeremy Corbyn is the reason why

AYESHA HAZARIKA:

I've spoken to three Labour MPs this morning from all across the country. And they're dismayed but not surprised by that poll.

PRESENTER:

The standard’s Ayesha Hazarika explains the parties new election strategy as a major poll shows the Tories winning with a big majority

also,

ANTHONY FRANCE:

every time he hears about a youngster being stabbed to death in London, you know, he feels it as if it's his own son.

PRESENTER:

Our crime correspondent Anthony France has spoken to the father of Damilola Taylor, about the family's plans to support training doctors in his son's name

JONATHAN PRYNN:

and it's unusual and very large when it was created. In 1891, it was the largest gas holder

anywhere in the world.

PRESENTER:

Jonathan Prynn speaks to us about London's love of Victorian gas houses with an iconic one at Old Kent road set to be...

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It has been up and down journey for Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems who are pushing hard for the party to win its first election. In the Evening Standard Michael Heseltine is giving his backing to two Lib-Dem candidates in the upcoming election and he doesn’t care if he gets thrown out of the Tories because of it. Last weekend Alistair Campbell was campaigning for the Lib-Dems too, as part his own “tactical voting strategy”. Despite the hype around the Liberal Democrats they still don’t look to be gaining actual votes. The Evening Standard's Associate Editor Julian Glover joins The Leader podcast to explain why he believes there’s a way for the party to save its election.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett gave readings last night to 500 Londoners who attended the eighth annual Fayre of St James’s charity concert. The special carol singing event raised £230,000 for food waste charity The Felix Project. The event even had performances from Craig David and Beverly Knight. The Evening Standard’s Magda Ibrahim tells the Leader podcast all the gossip from backstage.

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TRANSCRIPT

PRESENTER: Thanks for listening to the Leader – you can subscribe and rate through your podcast provider, and get the best news, analysis, interviews and commentary every day at 4pm.

Now, From the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader. 

PRESENTER: Hi, I’m David Marsland – The Liberal Democrats strode into this election with a bold claim that Jo Swinson was going to move into Number 10 next month.

JO SWINSON: When I look at Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, I am certain I could do a better job than either of them.

PRESENTER: Now they’re slipping in the polls, Deputy Leader Sir Ed Davey’s admitting the removal vans aren’t being hired… so is it all over for them? Not necessarily:

JULIAN GLOVER: They're the sort of forgotten one in the corner and suddenly everyone swung around and said hello, we love you Lib Dems. We're back. We're back rescue us, and the poor old Lib Dems are sagging a bit under the weight of expectations.

PRESENTER: Our Associate Editor Julian Glover argues there’s a way for the party to save its election.

And..

MAGDA IBRAHIM: He didn't kind of give us too much for clue about what the book is called or when it's going to be out. He just said to us yep you're the first people to actually hear it, which was quite exciting.

PRESENTER:The Standard’s Magda Ibrahim takes us backstage at the Fayre of St James’s where Benedict Cumberbatch revealed a mysterious new book he’s writing. 

PRESENTER: Taken from the Evening Standard’s Editorial Column, this is the Leader. For the whole...

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The UK’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has said that Jeremy Corbyn is unfit for high office over his handling of anti-Semitism in the Labour party. Rabbi Mirvis said that "The way in which the leadership has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people. It has left many decent Labour members both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired."

The Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy joins The Leader Podcast from Westminster to discuss what this means for the Labour party’s election campaign.

Up to 25,000 train services — thousands more than first forecast — face cancellation in the 27-day walkout by South Western Railway (SWR) train staff which starts next Monday. Industrial action will affect all services to and from mainline Waterloo, the London’s busiest station and is predicted to cost businesses up to £400m. Strikes will disrupt commuters travelling into the city and affect Christmas party goers with some services stopping as early as 10pm. Our editorial column thinks the strike should be stopped.

AFC Wimbledon has been owned by its supporters since it was set up in 2002 when the former Wimbledon FC was uprooted from south London to eventually become MK Dons. AFC Wimbledon have most recently been playing in Kingston-upon-Thames but from day one the dream has been to go back to where the fans call home – Plough Lane. If all goes to plan this is likely to happen - if they can source the money. The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings is out of the newsroom chasing the story and joins The Leader podcast. 

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In today’s podcast:

This morning Transport for London stripped Uber of its licence to operate in London. The news will shock the 45,000 drivers, and the many users who rely on the service. However, TFL insists that Uber is not a fit and proper company to hold an operating licence.

The Leader podcast spoke to The Evening Standard’s City Hall editor Ross Lydall on why Uber should keep its license.

The manifestos are out. So are the candidates, pounding the streets, knocking doors, hitting phones – all to persuade people to vote for them. The Evening Standard’s Londoner editor Ayesha Hazarika and Julian Glover, our Associate Editor, join The Leader podcast to discuss how the parties are fighting for your vote, and why it is so vital that everyone registers to vote before it’s too late.

The brightest stars of the London stage gathered to celebrate the 65th Evening Standard Awards on Sunday night, with big winners including Best Actress Dame Maggie Smith and Best Actor Andrew Scott. The Evening Standard's Digital Arts editor Jessie Thompson was there for all of it and gives us her insider scoop.

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TRANSCRIPT:

 PRESENTER: 

Thank you for listening to The Leader, we bring you commentary and analysis every weekday at 4pm. Subscribe to make sure you get it on time and you can rate us too. From the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader

PRESENTER: 

Hi, I'm David Marsland. Transport for London has stripped Uber of its license to operate in the city. Uber has become a way of life for millions of Londoners.

ROSS LYDELL:

This is how people get about town, how they get the children about town. And I don't think this decision quite tallies that

PRESENTER: 

Our City Hall editor Ross Lydell on what that means and what happens next. The Standard calls for the service to stay on the road. Also...

AYESHA HAZARIKA:

Theresa May appears to be the Tory secret weapon. She's been there twice. She's now a celebrity who knew that

PRESENTER: 

Julian Glover and Ayesha Hazarika on how the parties are fighting for your vote as the deadline to register looms and..

SIR IAN MCKELLEN:

to the rest of you luxuriating In this magnificent Frank Maxim auditorium thanks for listening to an old boy.

PRESENTER: 

Sir Ian McKellen scooped one of the Evening Standard Theatre awards top prizes last night who else won and what was the backstage gossip.

PRESENTER: 

Taken  from the Evening Standard editorial column. This is the leader of the whole thing. Pick up the newspaper or head to standard.co.uk/comment in a moment we think Uber should keep its license to drive in London.

PRESENTER: 

As the Christmas party season approaches, it's easy to forget the was once not so long ago a world without Uber when thousands with jam the phone lines for the mini Cab closing time for can see the hefty chunk of their bank account to flag down...

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