Evening briefing Wednesday 22nd April

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0:36This is the Times Radio evening briefing for Wednesday 22nd April. Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's former Chief of Staff, will appear before MPs next week as pressure grows on Sir Keir Starmer over Lord Mandelson's appointment. McSweeney and others have been summoned by the Foreign Affairs Committee after the sacked former head of the Foreign Office, Sir Ollie Robbins, accused Downing Street of applying constant pressure over the vetting process. At Prime Minister's questions, Starmer denied putting pressure on civil servants. Lord Ricketts, the former head of the Foreign Office, told Times Radio the PM now needs to rebuild trust with officials.

1:09He's got to go and show that he respects and appreciates civil servants for the work that they're doing every day. And Ollie Robbins, in his testimony, spoke movingly about the dangerous circumstances that diplomats are in, and they need to know that that work is appreciated. So I think he needs to front up and say that clearly to the civil servants, and also to get a new permanent secretary in place quickly. It's reported that Donald Trump's extension of the ceasefire with Iran could last for just three to five days. Officials say it will not be open-ended. As Tehran suggests, the move is a ploy to buy time.

1:45Three ships have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz today, with two of them seized by Iranian forces. Middle East analyst Lindsay Vindjamuri from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs told Times Radio the war has not been a win for the U.S. president. He has not been able to get that straight open, and it's very unclear how the United States can confirm that there will be free and open transit through that straight. Basically, Iran's been left so far with a very clear card and hand to play, and it's done it pretty effectively in the straight. The European Union is warning that summer holidays could be disrupted by soaring jet fuel prices or shortages if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed.

2:26The bloc is considering increasing fuel stockpiles and sharing supplies between member states. The German airline Lufthansa has cancelled 20 ,000 flights between now and the end of the summer season. Here a man accused of driving his wife to suicide in a tsunami of abuse has been cleared of manslaughter. Prosecutors said 44-year-old Christopher Trebus used violence and threats against Taryn Baird before her death in 2017. The Swindon man was also acquitted of rape and coercive control. Speaking outside court, he thanked jurors. This has had a profound impact on my life and on those closest to me.

3:00It's been an incredibly difficult experience. I'd also like to acknowledge that domestic abuse is a very real and serious issue and victims must always be supported. Right now, my focus is on moving forward and rebuilding my life with my family. And the head coach of Chelsea Football Club has been sacked. Liam Rossignor has been in charge of the Premier League side for just 107 days. You can follow The Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify and listen live to Times Radio Online.

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