Evening briefing Wednesday 10th September

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. Good evening. Officials blocked the release of a secret memo where Lord Mandelson urged Sir Tony Blair to meet Jeffrey Epstein while he was Prime Minister.

0:40It's thought officials concluded the documents might embarrass Britain and harm relations with the US. This comes after messages re-emerged where the British ambassador to the US called paedophile Epstein his best pal. The PM is supporting his ambassador. Times radio political editor Anna Michalova says it would be hard to make changes before President Trump's state visit. All of the talk is, can Keir Starmer keep his ambassador and whether or not it's possible? And what's interesting is it's less about, can he? It's increasingly a matter of time, people think. Is Peter Maddelson going to be essentially saved by the state visit because you can't really do anything until then?

1:20But it will also, the question of Epstein will dominate the state visitly. And as we know, Donald Trump, the last thing he wants anyone to start asking questions on is Jeffrey Epstein. A Cabinet Office spokesman said recommendations on archives are decided by the Independent Advisory Council on National Records and Archives. The Defence Secretary has asked UK armed forces to look at options to bolster NATO's air defence over Poland. It's after Russian drones were shot down over the European country. John Healy says Putin has hit a new level of hostility. A serious violation of Polish airspace, deep enough for Warsaw Airport to be closed, and NATO jets shooting down Russian drones in what is the first defensive action of its kind since Putin launched his full-scale attack on Ukraine.

2:09The US has promised to stand by NATO. There have been clashes between police and protesters in France as the country's fourth prime minister in a year is sworn in. Nearly 300 people have been arrested at what's being called the Block Everything demonstrations across the country. Riot officers used tear gas to clear demonstrators in Paris. Officials reported 273 protests across the country. Zakiya Starmer is meeting Israel's president in Downing Street this evening. Earlier, the prime minister said he'll make it clear the UK condemns the bombing of Hamas leaders in Qatar, a country that's previously hosted peace talks.

2:46Prince Harry has arrived at Clarence House moments after the King. The last time they saw each other was in February last year, after His Majesty announced he was undergoing cancer treatment. Alison McGovern has dropped out of the race to become Labour deputy leader and says she's backing one of the other candidates. She only had two MP nominations and has now given her full support to Education Secretary Bridget Philipson. There are now five competing to take over from Angela Rayner, who resigned last week. And former Tories, Suella Braverman and Lord Frost, start to appear at a press conference with Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice tomorrow.

3:23That's according to a post from Richard Tice on X. The Times' Patrick Maguire says reform should think carefully. I would be worried if I were Nigel Farage and that was happening, or I'd be worried about Nigel Farage and that was happening. Reform cannot be a retirement home for Tories. And for a news bulletin when you want it, search for The Times News Briefing on the Times Radio app.

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