The Daily T

As tensions in the Middle East hit a boiling point with the crisis between Iran and Israel growing deeper every day, President Trump is reportedly weighing up if he'll join the conflict by taking military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities. So is the world on the brink of an even bigger war? Camilla and Battle Lines' Roland Oliphant explore the global stakes, Tehran’s potential retaliation and whether a diplomatic solution is off the table. And we ask KT McFarland, deputy national security advisor in President Trump’s first administration, what his next next move might be and what it means for the rest of us. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ji-Min Lee Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer’s decision to U-turn on a national inquiry into the historic sexual abuse of thousands of young girls hasn't been met with the praise he might have hoped. Earlier today, during a press conference in London by opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, victims and campaigners of the grooming gang scandal criticised Starmer’s inquiry for not going far enough. Camilla spoke to Badenoch about why the issue is so personal to her and what the Tories will demand from the inquiry. And Tim met Marlon West, whose daughter Scarlett was groomed. He says he isn’t “reassured one little bit” that the authorities will face accountability. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ji-Min Lee Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Production assistance from Alfred Johnson Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of prevaricating, the Government has announced a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. The reversal comes off the back of a review by Dame Louisa Casey. They have claimed it isn’t a U-turn, but until now Labour figures – including Keir Starmer – had repeatedly dismissed calls for an inquiry, suggesting they were driven by the far-Right. Maggie Oliver, the detective-turned-whistleblower who raised the alarm about child rape gangs in Rochdale, joins Camilla to react to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s announcement. Listen back to our interview with grooming gang survivor Gaia Cooper. If you or someone you know are affected by any of the issues raised in today's Daily T, please see below a number of organisations that can help: Victim Support Telephone: 0808 16 89 111 Live chat: victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat My Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJ More information can be found at www.victimsupport.org.uk Rape Crisis helpline and live chat The Rape Crisis National Helpline offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details. Telephone: 0808 802 9999 / www.rapecrisis.org.uk. The Survivors Trust Telephone: 08088 010818 Email: info@thesurvivorstrust.org Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ji-Min Lee Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She is simultaneously one of the most loved and hated figures in British history. But Margaret Thatcher certainly made in indelible mark on our politics. Broadcaster Iain Dale is the author of a new book on the Iron Lady which seeks to bust some of the myths around our first female PM and introduce her to a younger audience. Camilla and Gordon speak to Iain about his personal interactions with Thatcher – including coming dangerously close to vomiting on her shoes – and what she would have made of Brexit and Nigel Farage. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ji-Min Lee Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle With assistance from Andy Mackenzie Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Air India flight bound for Gatwick Airport crashed not long after takeoff on Thursday, with more than 50 British nationals on board. Local police say there appeared to be no survivors as shocking footage emerged of the plane hitting the ground and bursting into flames in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state. Camilla and Tim speak with aviation safety expert Professor Graham Braithwaite about what could have gone wrong; why the minutes after takeoff are so critical; and the safety record of the Boeing aircraft involved. Producer: Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Robbie Nichols Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her first major spending review, pledging tens of billions in additional funding for public services, including £29 billion a year for the NHS, a £4.5 billion boost to the schools budget, and a rise in defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027. But Reeves stopped short of explaining how the government will actually fund these ambitious commitments, fuelling Tory warnings of looming tax hikes. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride accused her of having “completely lost control”, calling it a “spend now, tax later” plan that kicks tough choices down the road for Labour. So how will the Government balance the books? And what will the spending review mean for you? Camilla is outside Parliament with Reform’s Richard Tice who says Reeves is ‘cratering the economy’ and is obsessed with his party. Plus Tory Andrew Griffith on why his party are disowning Liz Truss’s mini budget and Labour’s Chris Curtis on productivity in the NHS. Producer: Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Robbie Nichols Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Additional support from Andy Mackenzie and Ryan Gudge Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor’s much-anticipated spending review is a day away, with extra cash expected for defence, health and education. Are tax rises on the horizon to pay for all this? Camilla is joined by guest presenter Jacob Rees-Mogg, who says Labour doesn’t understand business and explains how Keir Starmer could survive sacking Rachel Reeves… Plus, how two very different rows about immigration triggered riots in Ballymena, North Ireland and in LA. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Robbie Nichols Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves finally confirmed Labour’s rumoured U-turn on the winter fuel cut for pensioners this lunchtime, completing a humiliating climb down for the Government. Nigel Farage was quick to take credit for the reversal in a speech in Wales. Camilla and Gordon ask whether Reform’s continual outflanking of the Tories like this is only cementing their place in the public’s minds as the unofficial opposition. Later, they speak to the MP tabling a new free speech bill after a man was prosecuted for burning a Koran. Nick Timothy says that blasphemy are being brought in through the back door to quash criticism of Islam. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Robbie Nichols Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a tumultuous twenty four hours on the Right, both in the UK and in the US. Firstly, Reform chairman Zia Yusuf resigned from the party yesterday evening, claiming that “working to get a Reform government elected” was not “a good use of my time”. Then, Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s row deepened further, with the Musk calling for the president to be impeached and claiming that Trump was was “named in the Epstein files”. Trump for his part said Musk was “wearing thin” and had “lost his mind”. Former Conservative blogger turned Reform activist Tim Montgomerie joins Camilla and Gordon to reflect on Zia Yusuf’s departure, and speak to one of Reform’s most recent defectors from Labour, Scottish councillor Jamie McGuire, about the party’s results in the Hamilton by-election where it came third behind Labour and the SNP. They also speak to Daily Telegraph Senior US Correspondent Rob Crilly about the escalating war of words between two of the world’s most powerful men. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: James Simmons Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle With assistance from Andy Mackenzie Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just ten minutes after we'd published today's podcast on whether Reform and Nigel Farage could achieve a stunning victory in Scotland in a by-election in Hamilton - a bombshell. The party chairman Zia Yusuf, the businessman who Nigel Farage long-maintained had professionalised the party since his arrival last year, and attributed many of their recent successes to, had resigned. The news came after a row during Prime Minister's Questions yesterday when Reform's newest MP, Sarah Pochin, asked Keir Starmer whether it was time to ban the burqa. Yusuf publicly criticised the intervention as "dumb" and "nothing to do with me", and announced his shock departure just over twenty four hours later with the polls still open in Hamilton. Gordon Rayner and Tony Diver react to the news in a bonus extra Daily T, with Tony having just spoken to a Conservative MP delighted that Reform had "imploded, at last". Producer: Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Jessica Phillips Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Farage’s big test in Scotland. For years it was a political dead-end for Reform party leader - heckled in Edinburgh, chased from restaurants in Aberdeen, and repeatedly rejected at the ballot box. But in today’s Holyrood by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse, Reform UK is mounting a serious challenge. With Farage back in charge and his candidate Ross Lambie gaining ground in an SNP stronghold, could this be the moment his party makes a breakthrough north of the border? And while the Tories remain locked in internal warfare, we speak to Reform’s most senior council leader, Linden Kemkaran, on how the party plans to cut spending with their own version of Elon Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) department, and why she wants to end taxpayer-funded English lessons for migrants. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: James Simmons Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle With assistance from Andy Mackenzie and Ryan Gudge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's administration has renewed their attacks on the BBC over its coverage of Gaza, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt accusing the corporation taking “the word of Hamas with total truth”, an allegation the broadcaster denies. Camilla and Gordon speak to former BBC director of television Danny Cohen, who agrees with the US President, saying that the broadcaster's coverage is "driving hate" towards Israel and Jews, and that there are "two tiers of racism at the BBC". Elsewhere, a stark new report suggests the white British population could become a minority in the UK within the next 40 years. 73 per cent of the British population is white, but is predicted to drop to 57 per cent by 2050. Camilla and Gordon are joined by Professor Matt Goodwin, who led the research, to unpack what the data tells us about the UK’s changing demographics, why these shifts are happening, and what they could mean for the country’s future. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: James Simmons Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle With assistance from Andy Mackenzie and Ryan Gudge Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The case captured the world’s attention back in 2007 and has continued to pop up in headlines ever since. But the disappearance of Madeleine McCann remains a mystery. Now German authorities have launched a fresh search in southern Portugal for evidence of what happened to the British toddler. Police are in a race against time to charge the prime suspect, convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, who is currently in prison in Germany on a separate conviction – but plans to disappear when he is released in September. Camilla and Gordon look back on one of the most widely reported missing-persons cases in British history, and get an update on the new search from crime editor Martin Evans. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producer: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Robbie Nichols Video Editor: Will Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle With assistance from Andy Mackenzie and Ryan Gudge Original music by Goss Studio News clips from ITN, BBC and Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strategic Defence Review is out. Designed to be a root and branch look at all aspects of Britain’s armed forces, and billed as a “message to Moscow”, the message no doubt reaching the Kremlin is – Keir Starmer doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. Just as the Prime Minister appeared to be pulling back from his commitment to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, a record 1200 small boats crossed the Channel on Saturday. Can this Labour Government be trusted to defend Britain? Elsewhere, Chief Reporter Robert Mendick fills us in on the story of Hamit Coskun, the 50 year old Turkish asylum seeker who’s been convicted of a public order offence after setting fire to a copy of the Koran. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producer: Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ruby Borg Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Hamas's brutal terror attack on Israel in October 2023, the military campaign in Gaza has drawn both support and, lately, mounting international criticism – as civilian casualties rise, aid deliveries stall, and warnings of famine grow louder. Israel says the war is not one of conquest, but of the survival of the Jewish state. In this special episode, Tim Stanley sits down with Israel’s ambassador to the UK. Tzipi Hotovely says her country is still suffering the trauma of October 7th; argues the West is wrong about aid blockades in Gaza; and says that Jews no longer feel safe in the West. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ruby Borg Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's never a dull moment in the White House when Donald Trump is the president. Elon Musk yesterday began "offloading" from his role overseeing the 'DOGE' programme, after coming to the end of his 130 day limit as a special government employee. But rumours abound of a falling out between Musk and Trump, with the South African-born businessman criticising the president's "One Big Beautiful Bill" in an interview yesterday, claiming that the programme of massive tax cuts would actually raise the federal deficit, undermining his work cutting government spending. In this episode of The Daily T, Kamal Ahmed speaks to Michael Wolff - Trump biographer and author of four behind-the-scenes books about the president - to find out what really happened between Trump and Musk. They also talk about how the president will react to the shock news that his global tariffs have been blocked by a US federal court. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @DailyTpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ruby Borg Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just two weeks until Rachel Reeves’ spending review, there are calls from across the Labour frontbench for more cash — just as the Chancellor needs to tighten the purse strings. But perhaps the most striking intervention comes from the UK's top police chiefs — including Sir Mark Rowley — who today warned that the Government's crime targets will suffer if funding is slashed. This comes despite a £3bn increase in funding and 20,000 new officers since 2016. Can Rachel Reeves balance economic control with growing spending demands from her own party? And does she risk being outflanked by Nigel Farage's Reform UK? Elsewhere, away from Westminster, King Charles is in Canada at the state opening of parliament — and did he make a not-so-subtle dig at Donald Trump’s ambitions to annex his northerly neighbours? We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @DailyTpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Social Media Producer: Ruby Borg Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Original music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigel Farage says he’s coming for Labour voters, and he’s bringing a bold new benefits policy with him. The Reform UK leader is promising to lift the two-child benefit cap and offer bigger tax breaks for married couples, in a direct pitch to working-class families. Speaking in central London, Farage claimed support for Labour is “collapsing” and challenged Sir Keir Starmer to a head-to-head debate in a northern working men’s club. Kamal and Cleo were at the event to bring us the mood in the room and dissect what Farage’s game play means for both Labour and the Tories. Plus, we’re joined in the studio by shadow chancellor Mel Stride who says Farage’s plans are “fantasy economics” that could put our economy at risk. We want to hear from you! Email us at TheDailyT@telegraph.co.uk or find @DailyTpodcast on X, Instagram and TikTok. Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s niece has famously called him a “narcissist” and “the world’s most dangerous man”. In part 2 of a Daily T deep-dive into the US president, Kamal speaks to psychologist, author and vocal Trump critic Mary Trump, whose father Freddie was Donald’s older brother. She shares revealing insights into the Trump family dynamic, describing a toxic, misogynistic environment where “cruelty was currency” - context she says is key to understanding the 47th president. Later, Mary Trump addresses Kamala Harris’s catastrophic loss in the 2024 US presidential election: Joe Biden’s health, the fallout from that chaotic debate, and how the Democratic Party can win again. Producers: Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Editor: Camilla Tominey Production assistance from Fran DiFazio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Miller has been by Donald Trump’s side since 2016. One of his longest-serving strategists, Miller has had a front row seat during the remarkable last decade of American politics, as he helped Trump beat Hillary Clinton, watched on as he lost to Joe Biden in 2020, and then became a crucial part of his 2024 re-election campaign. Camilla talks to Miller about how he’s survived so long in the volatile Trump-orbit, the strategy behind the president's Oval Office confrontations with world leaders, and why his boss is “absolutely a genius”. Having just got off the phone to the president as he arrived at the studio, there are very few people who know Trump better. Producers: Lilian Fawcett Senior Producer: John Cadigan Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.