Morning briefing Friday 17th April

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.

0:35This is your Times Radio News Briefing for the morning of Friday 17th April. Sir Keir Starmer has sacked a top civil servant over a decision to clear Peter Mandelson for his post as US ambassador, despite him failing security checks. The PM insisted for months that due process had been followed, but it's now emerged a recommendation Mandelson shouldn't be given the job was overruled by officials in the Foreign Office. Sir Oliver Robbins has now been removed from his post over that decision. According to The Times' political reporter Olly Cole, that's unlikely to be the end of it for the government.

1:08There are a lot of unanswered questions. There are still files to be released from the government regarding Peter Mendelssohn's appointments. And simply put, making a top civil servant the first person that you throw under the bus in a situation like this doesn't always end well for politicians. Sikir Starmer has been accused by a number of party leaders now of misleading Parliament who are calling on him to resign. The Prime Minister meanwhile will be hoping he can garner more positive attention today as he meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The pair are chairing a gathering of world leaders which will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

1:47The crucial shipping lane through which a fifth of the world's oil normally flows has been closed by Iran as a response to America in Israel's strikes. In retaliation, US President Donald Trump has begun his own blockade of Iran's oil ports. Lebanese officials say Israel has violated a ceasefire just hours after it took effect. According to news agencies there, there's been both artillery and machine gun fire in the South. President Donald Trump announced the pause in fighting between Hezbollah and Israel yesterday at the White House, saying he expected leaders to meet in a few days. Gaia Pellegrin-Betoli is a journalist who lives in Beirut and says the ceasefire was always unlikely to take hold.

2:25I think we would be disillusioning ourselves if we think that this is really going to hold. And the reasons, unfortunately, are completely tied to Hezbollah and the role that Hezbollah plays as a state within the state of Lebanon. Because the Lebanese government, unfortunately, does not have the means to actually implement the disarmament of Hezbollah. And Hezbollah has no reason or will or political will to disarm. Unions are calling for better protection for workers after new research revealed the level of violence and abuse they face. The TUC said a survey of 5 ,000 employees revealed that four in five have experienced some form of abuse or violence at work in the last year, ranging from physical assaults and threats to sexual harassment.

3:13The total cost of compensating victims of major government scandals could reach£15 billion. A spending watchdog report says less than a quarter has been paid so far, with many victims of the Windrush, infected blood and post office scandals still facing long waits. The National Audit Office says£11 billion is still to be settled, although newer schemes are processing claims faster. And ministers are being urged to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value. A new report into the music industry says fans are being ripped off by sharp practices and rising prices. You can listen to the Times Radio News Briefing on any podcast platform and listen live to Times Radio online.

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