Episodes
Rob Delaney and Alice Levine sit down with the reporter at the heart of our story, David Leigh. Leigh takes us inside the explosive investigation that led to Jonathan Aitken's imprisonment, from the moment he knew he was about to bring down the former Cabinet minister, to the vitriol he received from Aitken himself. Plus, he tells us why he believes the Aitken affair had a lasting impact on British journalism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Published 12/20/23
Jonathan Aitken has created an intricate web of lies, and now he’s placed his own family at the centre of it. If the truth is uncovered, he risks losing his relationships, career and freedom. But journalist David Leigh is onto him and he’s moving fast. He’s just one piece of the puzzle away from bringing Aitken down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 12/13/23
The editor of The Guardian has had a tip-off which, if true, is huge: that the cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken is accepting money from senior Saudis. He’s been trying to nail down the story for a month but with no luck. Then one day, he has an idea: call David Leigh, an investigative journalist who MPs with something to hide have learned to fear. Maybe David can find the smoking gun? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Published 12/06/23
With Matt Forde taking some time away from the microphone, comedian and actor Rob Delaney joins Alice Levine to take listeners inside a story of politics, pride and perjury. Young MP Jonathan Aitken has big ambitions. He wants to make his mark on politics - and on the world. After he catches Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s eye, his star is firmly on the rise. But before long, a dark secret threatens to destroy everything he’s worked so hard to build. See Privacy Policy at...
Published 11/29/23
Matt and Alice sit down with old friend of the notorious drug smuggler, Julian Peto. The pair met as denim-clad Oxford students with long hair and a disdain for academic lectures. Julian takes us inside their raucous university nights, Howard’s magnetic charm, and the Welshman’s surprising resilience in the face of imprisonment and his later cancer diagnosis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 11/22/23
Published 11/17/23
Howard Marks is living a life of luxury in the Mediterranean. But he’s being watched. A federal agent is tapping his phone and following his every move. Craig Lovato has made catching “Mr Nice” his life’s work. And he’s not going to stop until he brings Marks - and his empire - down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 11/16/23
Howard Marks has just imported enough Colombian weed to get every person in the UK stoned. He’s at the peak of his trafficking career and he’s never been prouder. Perhaps he’ll even retire. Howard celebrates the win with a sherry. But he’s barely a sip in when a man appears in front of him with some bad news: Howard's under arrest. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 11/07/23
It's 1964 and a young Oxford student called Howard Marks develops a habit that will define the course his life. At first, cannabis is simply his escape. But then it becomes his route to making millions. It’s going well - really well - until one misstep sees Howard forced to choose between his family and his freedom. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 11/01/23
Published 10/30/23
In this special one-off episode, Matt and Alice explore the celebrity saga that gripped the nation. No, it's not Matt Hancock's appearance on I'm a Celeb: it's the iconic court case between former WAGs, Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney. With the help of The Guardian's Media Editor, Jim Waterson, Matt and Alice take listeners right inside Coleen's secret investigation, her stunning Twitter post and the most explosive moments of the trial. This episode is sponsored by Disney+. All views...
Published 10/26/23
Matt and Alice speak to Robert Harris, bestselling writer and author of the definitive account of the scandal, 'Selling Hitler'. He tells us why Hitler is one of the least likely historical figures to have kept a diary, and lays bare the impact of the scandal on fake news culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 10/24/23
The stories around the diaries and their authenticity begin to unravel. Streams of people have their reputations and their livelihoods on the line. Who will survive this humiliating scandal? And who, when the dust settles, will still come out on top? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 10/17/23
Excited by the prospect of the diaries being real, Rupert Murdoch sends famed historian Hugh Trevor-Roper to verify them. Everything is riding on his assessment. What will Trevor-Roper tell the world? Real or fake? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 10/10/23
Journalist Gerd Heidemann is searching for his next story for Stern magazine when the scoop of the century lands in his lap. But is it too good to be true? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 10/03/23
Alastair Campbell - the spin doctor-turned-podcaster - tells Matt and Alice speak why he thinks Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng were a “lethal combination” and describes the moment he felt Truss was really losing the plot. Plus comedian and activist Joe Lycett takes listeners inside his infamous appearance on the Laura Kuenssberg show and tells Matt and Alice why he’s trying (and quite clearly failing) to stop talking about the former leader a year after her tumultuous turn in Number 10. See...
Published 09/26/23
Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng hit the ground running, scheming ways to revolutionise the government and the economy. But after they announce their shake up, the Truss premiership is on a collision course with an iceberg (lettuce). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 09/19/23
Published 09/18/23
Liz Truss’ star is rising in the Conservative party after both Theresa May and Boris Johnson place her at the heart of their cabinets. And when things start to unravel for Boris, Liz sees her chance. It’s time for her to take the lead and unleash the radical revolution she's sure the country desperately needs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 09/12/23
For as long as she can remember, Mary Elizabeth Truss has been determined to make her mark on British politics. And now it's finally within reach. She’s been handpicked to stand for Parliament in South West Norfolk. But when a story from the past comes to light, her career could be over before it’s even started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 09/05/23
John Darwin decides to come back from the dead and journalists begin to investigate his mysterious disappearance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 08/29/23
The Darwins trick the police into thinking John’s dead and decide they need to flee the country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Published 08/22/23