Evening briefing Monday 9th March

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0:35This is the Times Radio evening briefing for Monday 9th March. The Chancellor has given an emergency statement in the Commons on the government's economic response to the Iran crisis. The price of oil has surged at one point over$119 a barrel, prompting inflation fears and stock market turmoil. The cost of petrol and diesel on forecourts is shooting up, as well as heating oil. Rachel Reeves told MPs she's taking action. I have also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to be vigilant across prices, including essentials like road fuel and heating oil. I will not tolerate any company exploiting the current crisis to make excess profits at consumers' expense.

1:15Meanwhile, France has announced plans to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries around 20 % of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Emmanuel Macron says they'll deploy a dozen naval vessels after the hottest phase of the conflict ends. But the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is no longer expected to deploy to the region. Sir Simon Mayall is a former senior British Army officer and Middle East specialist. He told Times Radio he's staggered. The Prime Minister hasn't stepped up more quickly. I'm not a lawyer. I'm not arguing for ditching international law, etc.

1:45But there are times when, as a sovereign nation, when national interest is at stake, when what is undoubtedly going to happen is there will be reprisals against your own citizens, your own interests. That's what leadership is about. You make these judgment calls, and we're living with the consequences. to my mind, the prime minister making the wrong judgment call. At least five members of the Iranian women's football team are reported to have claimed asylum in Australia. It comes after a senior regime official branded them traitors when some refused to sing the national anthem before a match at an international tournament.

2:16Donald Trump says he's been in touch with Australia's prime minister, who says he's taken care of it. In other news, the head of the police federation has been suspended after his arrest on suspicion of corruption. Mukund Krishna was arrested last week, along with two other board members of the organization that represents rank-and-file officers. The King and Queen have been heckled by the public as they arrived for a service at Westminster Abbey. Charles was speaking at a service marking Commonwealth Day, where he described the grouping as a force for good in the world. The High Court has heard Gerry Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in IRA bombing decisions.

2:50Three victims of attacks in London and Manchester have brought a civil case seeking symbolic damages of a pound. Our reporter Kiva Quinn is in Belfast. In terms of a civil action, it's going to be looking more at whether they can prove or not that there is a possibility that Gerry Adams did have a senior role in the IRA, something that he hasn't always strongly denied. And these proceedings are expected to last over the next several days, so it will be a long case, I think. And almost one in ten parents have withdrawn their children from independent schools since VAT on fees was introduced. Saltus, a wealth management firm, surveyed more than 1 ,000 high-net-worth families.

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