Afternoon briefing Thursday 5th February

0:00This episode of the Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwCWC. Staying competitive means getting ahead, not just keeping up. So how do business leaders cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. PwC takes you further with tech, from optimising the systems that put your data to work, to scaling AI from proof of concept to competitive edge. PwC helps you meet tomorrow's tech demands, so you can compete at a speed that rewrites the rules. Discover more at pwc.co.uk. Hello, this is your Times Radio afternoon briefing for Thursday 5th February with me, James Kitchen. Sakir Starmer has insisted he didn't realise the depth and the darkness.

0:43of the relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. The Prime Minister is facing growing anger from MPs after admitting he selected the peer as Britain's ambassador to Washington, despite knowing about his continued links to the paedophile. The Commons last night approved the release of documents relating to the appointment. The files will be referred to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee. Addressing Epstein's victims directly, the Prime Minister apologised for trusting Lord Mandelson. Sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies and appointed him.

1:18And sorry that even now you're forced to watch this story unfold in public once again. But I also want to say this. In this country, we will not look away. We will not shrug our shoulders. And we will not allow the powerful to treat justice as optional. Speaking to Times Radio, the Labour backbencher Carl Turner called the situation dire, warning Sir Keir Starmer will be up against it if he fails to sack his Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney. I tell you this, I've never known it in the 16 years I've been in there. MPs are being briefed against, Cabinet members are savagely briefed against. I'm afraid to say there's been an over-reliance on bad advice by the PM.

2:07Advisors advise, ministers decide, and that includes the PM. Elsewhere, Nigel Farage has announced Dan Thomas as Reform UK's leader in Wales. Appearing at a rally in Newport, the former Barnet Council leader said he's back to where I belong in the South Wales Valleys. Mr Farage also unveiled the former Conservative James Evans as the latest defector to Reform UK. The event comes three months before the Senate election, with reform polling strongly across the country. An inquiry has concluded some of the 30 victims of the deadliest migrant channel crossing on record could have been saved. An overcrowded inflatable boat capsized in November 2021, leaving just two survivors.

2:49The report found a French warship didn't respond to a mayday call, and systematic failures and chronic staff shortages undermined UK rescue efforts. Chair Sir Ross Cranstons urged authorities to take action. The practice of small boat crossings must end. Apart from other reasons, it's imperative to prevent further loss of life. 36 cases of children suffering symptoms consistent with a toxin recently linked with baby formula are being investigated. The UK Health Security Agency says 24 cases were in England, 7 in Scotland, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland. Certain batches of Nestle and Danone were recalled last month.

3:32Scientists have found testing menstrual blood for cervical cancer might be an effective new screening method that encourages more women to check for the disease. It's thought a sanitary pad topped with a sample strip could be just as accurate as smear tests. Remember, you can follow The Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify and you can listen live to Times Radio Online. This episode of The Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwC. AI is everywhere. In the news, in our hands, but return on investment, not so much. So how do you get beyond the hype and deliver AI that powers reinvention and growth across your business?

4:11Strong foundations unlock AI's potential. That's why PwC takes you further with tech, strengthening the data quality, processes and workflows that shape how well AI performs. PwC turns innovation into implementation so you can accelerate from experiment to scale. Discover more at pwc.co.uk