The Leader | Evening Standard daily

The Evening Standard’s Jack Kessler joins us to explain what’s been renegotiated between the UK and the EU over Brexit. The European Union’s relaxing rules on checks for goods like chilled meats going into Northern Ireland, which the UK says are causing disruption for supplies. But with Brexit minister Lord Frost warning Britain could invoke Article 16 and unilaterally revoke the whole thing, will the compromises being unveiled be enough to calm concerns on both sides? Meanwhile, Dominic Cummings has claimed it was the UK’s plan all along to throw out bits of the Brexit deal it didn’t like, prompting some leading politicians to say Downing Street can’t be trusted.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Evening Standard columnist Emma Loffhagen joins the podcast as former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson’s forced to deny claims she’s appropriating black culture. The ‘Boyz’ singer’s not the first person in the entertainment industry to be accused of “blackfishing”, with stars such as the Kardashians also having similar claims made against them. Emma tells us how the problem appears to be getting worse, and questions how the video for Nelson’s debut solo single was ever approved for release.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard’s Reveller editor, David Ellis, joins us to discuss Salt Bae’s new restaurant in Knightsbridge, which serves a steak for £840 and a cappuccino for a bargain £50. Nusr-Et’s been slammed by critics, including our own Jimi Famurewa, but remains packed with punters and celebrities keen to have the internet-famous chef slice up their meat at their table. But can a restaurant survive on hype alone? We also talk about how Salt Bae rose from being a butcher in Turkey to an international culinary superstar, with a little help from Bruno Mars.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thousands of people have been flocking to travel agents and airlines after the UK government lifted red list restrictions on all but seven countries. We speak to our political editor Nicholas Cecil who tells us that one travel agent says enquiries are up 400% as the country leaps on the opportunity to take a foreign break. He also tells us about the new testing rules that are being brought in, which should make it far cheaper to take a holiday. We’re also joined by travel expert Paul Charles, of the PC Agency, who tells us the industry is hoping that testing and the red list itself could soon be on the way out. He also gives his advice on how to book a holiday in a post-Covid world. For more tips and destination guides, head to the Evening Standard’s travel pages.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard's associate editor Jonathan Prynn joins the show to explain why the cost of living in the UK's apparently about to rise by a huge amount. Energy companies are warning of big price increases next year as the wholesale cost of gas goes up along with demand for supplies with the world waking up from the Covid pandemic. Tax increases are also expected, and the Bank of England's warning the "magnitude and duration" of the UK's inflation spike is proving "greater than expected".  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From Manchester, the Evening Standard’s David Bond analyses Boris Johnson’s key speech to the Conservative party conference. Hosted by Jack Kessler, we look at the policies (or lack of), the jokes and ask whether Starmer or Johnson had the better week?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Home Secretary Priti Patel's announced a major new inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard. A two-part investigation will examine the issues raised by the conviction of “monster” Pc Wayne Couzens for her kidnap, rape and killing. But critics are concerned the probe will not be statutory, meaning witnesses can't be compelled to give evidence. We speak to Anna Birley, a co-founder of the #ReclaimTheseStreets campaign, which was set up in the wake of Sarah's murder. She tells us why she's concerned the inquiry will not be the line in the sand women like here have been promised.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Evening Standard's associate editor, Jonathan Prynn, joins us to look at the continuing problems for commuters and vehicle drivers around London. Insulate Britain protesters targeted the capital hitting for main routes in the the city -  Blackwall Tunnel, Wandsworth Bridge, Hanger Lane and Arnos Grove - while fuel supplies are still running short in the south east. The army's now been deployed to get forecourts up and running again, but Jonathan tells us concerns remain about Christmas.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The latest James Bond Movie, No Time to Die, looks set to be an enormous box office hit with £5 million of tickets sold for its first weekend in the UK. It’s not been released internationally yet. But during a two year long delay for the movie’s release, the producers were put under huge pressure to sell it to a streaming service so audiences could watch it at home. In this Leader special we hear from the cast and crew of the movie, including Daniel Craig and Barbara Broccoli, about why they held out for a cinema release, despite enormous amounts of money being offered. We also have exclusive insight from VUE founder, and BFI chairman, Tim Richards, who reveals just how dire the situation got for cinemas during the pandemic, but predicts a “golden age” for the industry with streamers putting their TV series on the big screen.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The murderer of Sarah Everard has been given a whole life sentence. Wayne Couzens will die in jail. But does that make women feel any safer? We speak to barrister and campaigner Dr Charlotte Proudman who tells us the entire justice system needs revamped. She questions how Couzens could have remained as a police officer when his own colleagues called him 'the Rapist'? And she tells us how some of her own clients have not been believed by police, or failed to get the justice they deserve in the courts, because the system is weighted against them.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With Boris Johnson promising to save Christmas for the second year running, we look at what the fuel crisis is actually putting at risk this festive season. Will there be enough turkey to go round? What about toys? Jace Tyrell, Chief executive of the New West End Company, tells us what plans are already in place to make sure London has the best supply chain possible. We also talk about the importance of a bumper festive season to a capital city that has taken an economic hammering through the covid pandemic restrictions  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

European lorry drivers appear to be rejecting the UK’s offer of 5,000 temporary visas to help the country out with its fuel crisis. We ask European Transport Workers’ Federation boss Livia Spera why? She tells us the situation is far more complex than simply resentment over Brexit (although that’s playing a part). There is also a shortage of delivery drivers across the continent, where pay and conditions are better. We also talk about how the UK’s problems are playing out in the media across Europe.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded at a petrol station in East London, we look at the fuel crisis including why London has been so badly affected. Associate Editor Jonathan Prynn tells us how cabbies fuelling up at the first sign of trouble weakened an already fragile fuel ecosystem in the capital, which has a higher driver per pump number than anywhere else in the UK. We also look at how frustrations have been boiling over as drivers fight for the last of the petrol at some stations, and ask if or when the army will be brought in.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Evening Standard political reporter Rachael Burford joins the podcast as some petrol forecourts appear to be getting busier and others are closed altogether due to shortage of fuel. The government’s urging people to “shop normally” when filling up cars, but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also not ruling out bringing the army in to help with deliveries and training. Some are blaming Brexit, others Covid for a shortage in drivers to get fuel to petrol stations, and the boss of a leading supermarket’s calling for new rules to let more Europeans work in the country.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As ES magazine prepares to auction its historic NFT front cover, we speak to art academic Acacia Mei and tech journalist Monty Munford about how digital code is transforming campaigning. 'Brave New World' features black non-binary model Kai-Isaiah Jamal, and Acacia tells us why they believe it's a milestone moment for marginalised groups. Monty explains how NFTs have become sought after in the collectibles world with some seeing them as an investment. 'Brave New World' is being auctioned on the Foundation platform  in association with the Philips auction house on Friday September 24th. Proceeds will go to the Evening Standard's charity partner the Felix Project.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.