The Standard

House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle faced a no confidence motion signed by some 59 MPs in a neutrality row over a Gaza ceasefire vote.

He was under pressure over his handling of a tinderbox debate on an SNP motion that resulted in the passing of a Labour amendment - potentially helping Sir Keir Starmer head-off a rebellion among his own MPs.

Chaos descended on the chamber as the motion was approved, with Scottish National Party and Conservative MPs walking out in protest.

It came as crowds of protesters outside beamed pro-Palestine slogans on to Big Ben.

Sir Lindsay said his actions were meant to help protect the safety of a number of MPs being targeted by activists.

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Popping up 600ft above London’s skyline, the BT Tower has been a West End landmark since the 1960s.

Now, the once high-tech monolith that began its life as the Post Office Tower is being transformed into a hotel in a £275 million sale.

BT has agreed to sell the nearly 60-year-old, Grade-II listed tower to American chain MCR Hotels, offering future punters the chance to sleep in the clouds.

To find out more about this end of an era - and the beginning of a new one, we’re joined in the studio by the Evening Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn.

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A headteacher warns school closures are creating “ghost areas” across London and destroying communities as so many families leave the capital.

The Evening Standard’s education editor Anna Davis joins us in the studio after interviewing Helen Connor, executive head of Rhyl Community Primary in Camden, who says London risks “dying from its roots” as growing numbers of families cannot afford to stay in the city.

It comes after research revealed 8,000 fewer children will need school places in London over the next four years.

London Councils - the parent body for the capital’s local authorities - blames a falling birth rate, Brexit, the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and lack of affordable housing.

Plus, latest on the government’s classroom mobile phones crackdown.

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It’s one of the glitziest weeks in London’s style and entertainment calendar - as this year’s Bafta awards ceremony dovetails with the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week.

On Sunday night, celebrities headed to the annual gala at the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall.

But who were the sharpest dressed stars on the red carpet - and what are the trends to look out for later this year?

Plus, as the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week kicks off, hold on to your loafers and suits for the post-pandemic return of “officecore”.

Insight with Evening Standard fashion director Victoria Moss.

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This special cut is taken from The Standard Theatre Podcast, our chief theatre critic Nick Curtis meets former Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman to discuss her role in Hir at the Park Theatre. To hear the full episode click this link, or search for The Standard Theatre Podcast.

For all the latest news head to standard.co.uk, or pick up a paper!

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It was a double by-election bloodbath for the Conservatives as the party suffered defeats at the ballot box just months before Britain goes to the polls.

Rishi Sunak lost both the Kingswood and Wellingborough constituencies in a humiliating night for the Conservatives - with celebrations for Labour as Sir Keir Starmer’s party scooped both seats.

To analyse what this means for the parties’ general election strategy as we hurtle towards May, we’re joined by the Evening Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil.

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Could psychedelics be used to help tackle mental health issues like depression and addiction? In this preview episode of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev speaks to Professor David Nutt, one the leading researchers in this controversial field. He also speaks to Buzzfeed journalist Lara Parker who used ketamine assisted therapy to treat clinical depression.

To hear the whole interview, including additional interviews with pioneers Robin Carhart-Harris and Amanda Feilding, search 'Brave New World Evening Standard' on your podcast provider.

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A special Valentine’s Day cutdown episode from our sister podcast, London Love Stories with Katie Strick. Featuring an exclusive interview with none other than the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. 

Listen to the full episode here: https://pod.fo/e/21d28e 

Find more episodes of London Love Stories with Katie Strick here: https://podfollow.com/london-love-stories-with-katie-strick

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s judgement has come under fire over a delay in withdrawing his party’s support for its Rochdale by-election candidate, Azhar Ali, over remarks he made about Israel.

It comes as The Standard reveals Labour faces a “brutal” battle in the party’s new London heartlands amid growing “movement” of local independent candidates enraged at the response to Gaza - with shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting’s Ilford North seat top of the list of targets.

The Standard’s chief political correspondent, Rachael Burford, shares her analysis.

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Pressure is mounting on the Government to investigate the controversial single justice procedure, as The Standard uncovers more criminal cases brought against sick and vulnerable people.

Our courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk, discusses our long-running investigation into this ‘behind closed doors justice’.

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