Recently, the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, has seemed particularly exercised by one woman on Labour's front bench. Yes, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary and one of Keir Starmer's closest allies, has become something of an obsession for the Leader of the Opposition. Interviews come and interviews go, yet somehow Badenoch always seems to find a way to bring Phillipson into the conversation.

Much of the hostility stems from Phillipson's determination to impose VAT on private school fees, a policy she has defended without apology. For that, Badenoch has branded her a "spiteful class warrior."

So we thought this might be the perfect moment to get Bridget Phillipson into The News Agents studio. Is she really the "spiteful class warrior" her critics claim? And if she is, does she wear the label with pride?

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Can Gianni Infantino survive his friendship with Donald Trump?

The presidents of both FIFA and the USA have been busy this week ensuring that USA could field top scorer Folarin Balogun in their Quarter-final match against Belgium.

Trump’s incredible intervention into football has rocked the sport and left FIFA’s credibility in tatters - particularly after England defender Jarell Quansah’s own red card ban is extended - is it one rule for Trump’s team and another for the everyone else?

As FIFA stands accused of losing control of their own World Cup, and world leaders begin to ask questions, how does Trump’s close friend, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, survive this one?

Elsewhere as England prepare to face Norway in their quarter-final match, two of the best strikers in the business take to the field in Harry Kane & Erling Haaland - but how do you stop Haaland and Kane from scoring? Nedum has a plan and it doesn’t involve a shotgun…

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Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Producers: David Finch & George Sexton-Kerr

Video Producer: Samuel Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Jasmine Wissart

Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

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The bad news isn't stopping for Reform and Nigel Farage. He's facing fresh questions about the timeline surrounding the £5m gift from a crypto billionaire. The police are investigating a separate donation made to Robert Jenrick (who has described the claims as a politically motivated smear). The party has urged volunteers to divert from the Greater Manchester mayoral contest - in an effort to shore up Nigel Farage in a contest against a bin that he himself has triggered.

Just a few days ago, Farage thought his by-election gamble would put the focus squarely on him and pit his as a champion of the people wrestling against the establishment? Has that backfired in the most almighty way? And his the entire Farage project imploding?

It was Rupert Lowe - and not Farage - who became the first UK politician to appear on Joe Rogan's podcast yesterday. Over two hours he said stuff that was weird, inaccurate and inflammatory - but will his comments about the Dunblane massacre come back to haunt him?

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Within hours of the Farage resignation statement all the main parties made it clear they would not be fighting his by-election and called the whole attempt a gimmick. Unity amongst the parties is a rare beast indeed - but they've all found their common enemy in a man who appears to resist transparency or accountability. What happens to the Clacton circus now? And more pressingly, what is the process for parliamentary scrutiny if the enquiry is temporarily suspended for a campaign? We ask anti-corruption campaigner and Kensington MP Joe Powell to explain the charges and the investigations now.

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Nigel Farage says he's "never been angrier in his life". He's accusing the media of intimidating his family. He's claimed standards are being weaponised to go after him. And for that, he's asking the people of Clacton to stomach a by-election and re-elect him as their MP. Farage is framing it as a 'People vs The Establishment' contest - but is it more of a smokescreen to move the conversation away from the growing questions around his finances?

Will the gamble work? And will it actually solve anything for Farage - or is this a Trumpian tactic taken from a point of weakness?

The News Agents is a Global Production.

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Jon has woken up in Mexico City with a fever dream about an epic England win and a football shirt covered in beer and tequila. Elsewhere the game doesn’t feel quite so beautiful - after it emerged that Trump's political meddling got a red card overturned for US player, Folarin Balogun.

Why did the FIFA president cave to Trump's swagger and pressure? How has it left the players feeling as they head into the next stages? And what does it tell us about Trumps tendency towards tyranny as America celebrates its 250 years of independence?

Later, why is Nigel Farage called “daddy“ by a convicted criminal who appears to be bankrolling him? The Sunday Times Insight Editor and host of 'Posh George: The Criminal Behind Farage', Gabriel Pogrund joins us in the studio.

The News Agents is a Global production.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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It feels different this time around. Donald Trump's second term is more ferocious, more feral, more imperial. There are two chroniclers of the Court of Trump who know this better than anyone. And they have just published 'Regime Change' - the authoritative account of the White House under Trump 2.0.

Their access is remarkable. Inside accounts of the discussions, arguments, and fawning taking place inside the incredibly small circle of people truly in Trump's orbit. Trump has slated the book as a "Fake News...Con Job!". Its contents have led to calls for inquiries and subpoenas.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Lewis spoke to Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their reporting revelations, about a truly unprecedented President, and what comes next.

The News Agents is a Global Production.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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After Harry Kane got them out of jail against DR Congo, Nedum believes this is the start of a glorious run for England at the FIFA World Cup.

It’s Mexico next at the iconic Azteca stadium, altitude, pollution, and an army of noisy fans await. Nedum & Gabby discuss performing at altitude, Mexican welcoming committees and what makes this the “hardest game that can be played at this tournament”

Elsewhere the guys reveal new Man City manager Enzo Maresca’s coaching philosophy - with insights from Guillem Balague - and they talk Nottingham Forest too, who have just sacked their 4th manager in a year - this time by email!

📩 Got a question for The Sports Agents? https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7

🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod

📱Follow us on socials:

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagents

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📥 Email: [email protected]

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Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Producer: David Finch

Video Producer: Samuel Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Jasmine Wissart

Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

Nigel Farage has become the face of Direct Bullion. Not a surprise to those of you buying gold, perhaps, but it probably is to those who don’t. And it earned him £270,000 in the process.

He’s also amassed a five-house property portfolio (three undeclared) and then there’s the small matter of the 5 million crypto donation. Again undeclared.

How is this sitting with a man who voted against the Employment Rights Act and wants to scrap the current minimum wage? Is it hurting Reform UK? Or is it just confirming he's as a maverick politician who can get away with stuff that others can’t?

Later, Luke Tryl from the polling organisation More in Common on the realignment of British political parties, just as Andy Burnham is set to become Prime Minister.

And - where exactly is Jon Sopel?

The News Agents is a Global production.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code thenewsagents at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/newsagents

Everyone understands the need to leave on a high - whether it’s Prime Ministerial legacy or a sense of completing the job.

But the new defence investment plan that Starmer's signed off leaves Burnham with an unexploded bomb in the shape of a five billion pound debt.

Does Burnham stick to the plan? Or does he rip it up? And how does he fill the hole if he goes along with it?

We ask TUC secretary general Paul Nowak what unions want from a Burnham premiership.

The News Agents is a Global production.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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How do you interview someone who’s been gagged? That’s the task we set ourselves on today’s episode. Sarah Wynn-Williams - a former Facebook executive turned whistleblower author - is not allowed to talk about Facebook, or her book, Careless People. She’s not allowed to.

She’s not even allowed to discuss the lawsuit that’s been slapped on her. Or how she’s finally responded with one of her own.

This is her story - told by another woman who knows how silence can be used to control and intimidate - Amy Wallace.

A spokesperson for Meta has said, "This former employee is trying to use the legal process to sell books, which an arbitrator already ruled broke the agreement she signed with the company when she accepted a large severance payment years ago. Her book is divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims."

The full arbitration can be read here:

https://about.fb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Arbitration-Interim-Award.pdf

The News Agents is a Global Production.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code thenewsagents at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/newsagents