Politics
Bob Seely: ‘Mr Bean’s trip to China’ ignored a vital rule – sell, but don’t sell us out
Dr Robert Seely MBE is author of ‘The New Total War’, ConservativeHome foreign affairs columnist and a former Conservative MP.
When I look at the decline of the Foreign Office and Whitehall as well as the parochialisation of our political leadership over the past two decades – China will stand as a testament to our leader’s inability to grasp new ideas and great new trends.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer’s visit to China (and Japan) was not a success.
Appearing more Mr Bean than Mr Statesman, he came back with little and was only allowed to visit once he had agreed to the planned Chinese embassy in London, sitting adjacent to highly sensitive cables. Whilst there, he was gently demeaned in a number of different ways, described by Luke de Pulford from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Starmer continues a depressing tradition. For years our nation’s decision-makers – along with many others in Europe – has failed to see what China is and where the true dangers are. We have no coherent attitude of outlook.
There is no pot of gold at the end of the Chinese economic rainbow. There is no gain in turning a blind eye to its modern slavery or the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) creation of an AI-driven police state, because there is no economic El Dorado. It is a myth peddled by our Treasury and which has been slavishly followed by managerialist politicians.
First, China’s Made in China 2025 policy is designed to wean itself of imports. Prior to Covid, Chinese investment in the UK represents just 0.2 per cent of foreign investment anyway, and that is overwhelmingly focused on high technology, somewhere frankly we should not be welcoming the CCP. Third, jobs created and maintained by Chinese investment amounted to just 3,000 a year, whilst our exports made up just 3.3 per cent of our total. Few firms make durable profits. Their Intellectual Property is taken. Contracts are not enforced. There is a reason we sell less to China than to Ireland or Holland.
By all means, sell to China is you want, but they are far more interested in selling to us. Chinese exports to us were £67 billion. Our imports to them were less than half that.
The reality is that China doesn’t want open and free trade. It wants to use its economic export power to create dependency. It does that by dominating technologies and supply chains. This is not a conspiracy theory, it’s fact, just some of us don’t want to listen. This is trade and economics as a form of warfare.
Here’s China’s dictator Xi Jinping speaking in April 2020: China will “aim to form a ‘counterattack and deterrence’ against other countries by fostering killer technologies and strengthening the global supply chain’s dependence on China.”
Elsewhere, the Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Western nations are ‘hostile foreign forces’, democracy a ‘false ideological trend’ whilst free speech and human rights have long been denounced.
The CPP builds up domination through mercantilism – the practice of using economies to build state power at others’ expense. It offers super-cheap bank loans to its own firms which then take, steal or buy Intellectual property from Western companies, speeding R&D and cutting costs further. They flood Western markets and undercut Western firms, forcing them out of business. This is not fair trade, nor even free trade, it is trade as a proxy for conflict and domination.
Occasional victories, such as our guerrilla victory in the last Parliament to get Huawei banned, were small victories in a bigger struggle that we are losing.
There are also direct, technical threats, dangerously underestimated. For example, China has been quietly dominating the CIMs – Cellular Modules – industry. About the size of fat credit cards, CIMs contain processors, memory, and a SIM to the Internet. Pretty much everything runs on them or will do; from cars to logistical supply chains, manufacturing and telecoms. China aims to dominate this industry. In future, if China doesn’t like your policy, expect restricted CIM supply, or malware to be transmitted to your CIMS at times of global tensions. Expect your industry, your logistics, your healthcare, to glitch or cease working – along with your weapons. This is conflict preparation on a scale that our political masters do not comprehend.
The purpose of this domination is, in general, to make us supplicants, and specifically, leave us so dependent that, if/when conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan/the US, the UK – and Europe which is in much the same boat – would be too weak to support the US. It would break the Transatlantic alliance. This would be a Pearl Harbour, and not just of military power, but of economic and technical power too. It would be the end of the West, overnight, as well as the order that we, the US and NATO created after World War II.
China is not a ‘challenge’, it is a threat to our entire world order. It wishes to replace our system with its system.
There are of other important elements we could talk about; the appalling human rights abuses of the Uighurs – immediately forgotten by Labour as soon as they got to power – the illegal extension of Chinese territory into the South China Sea, the United Front influence and espionage networks in the UK, the theft of our data, so that when AI and quantum computing becomes powerful enough, it will allow China’s security agencies to understand who it needs to support, oppress or suppress.
So, as Lenin said, what is to be done?
First, no one is suggesting we shouldn’t engage or that we pick arguments for the sake of them. I despair of ministers who bizarrely proclaim that the only choice is either to kow-tow or to stick our head in the sand and two fingers in the air. Let’s engage, but please let’s stop grovelling.
Above all, the immediate priority is to defend ourselves so we can support our alliance system, and defend our economy from China’s mercantilist domination.
We need to understand dependency and economic warfare and to start to wean ourselves off Chinese rare earth, raw material and manufacturing and tech supply chains. It won’t happen overnight, but we need to start. Let’s work with US, Ukraine, Australia, Japan, South Korea and others to produce parallel supply systems and China-free, or China-lite, tech. If European nations want to join, even better.
For consumers, Govt needs to ensure that firms like Amazon are clearer about which products come from China; make it easier to opt for non-Chinese alternatives; put warning labels on goods that may have slave or forced labour components, such as the solar panels that the net-zero druid Ed Miliband wants to import in vast amounts.
Second, let’s start to onshore our industry and drive down energy prices by radically changing the aforementioned net-zero. Our economic and energy policy is suicidally useless. We are destroying our industrial base to slavishly worship net-zero targets which the rest of the world ignores. Our industry ends up in China where two coal-fired power stations a week are built to sell us back the manufacturing that we’ve shut down. This policy impoverishes us, enriches our adversary and makes the world even more polluted. If Xi actively controlled our politicians, he could not come up with a better policy to damage Britain.
If the US slaps tariffs on China because they dump cars, steel, etc on us, then we should join the US. China has long abused its developing nation status at the WTO. They need our markets more than we theirs.
These are just a start. There are many more ideas in a report that Rob Clarke and I edited for the Civitas think tank.
Above all we need coherence, which we still lack. China is a threat. It is trying to subvert the international system. Our best chance to avoid both dependency and war is to stand up for ourselves now, minimise our dependency and strengthen our alliances. Let’s sell, but let’s not sell ourselves out.
Under Labour it won’t happen. They are unwilling and unable to understand the threat, managing to be both irresolute and incompetent – a unique Starmeresque quality; but maybe the next Government will have learned the lessons of the past two decades of failure.
One can but hope.
Nigel Farage is in Newport this morning to make a ‘special announcement.’ He’s expected to unveil Reform’s Wales leader. 91 days until the Senedd elections…
After Stephen Graham teased fans with a recent update about a potential season two of Adolescence, his co-creator has added his thoughts to the topic.
Last month, after collecting the Golden Globe for his performance as father Eddie Miller in the Netflix drama, Stephen was asked about the chance of the show returning for a second series.
“I cannot answer that question because it’s somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and Jack [Thorne, his co-creator]’s mind, and we’ll pull it out in three or four years,” he told reporters in the awards show’s press room.
Weeks later, during a recent appearance on The One Show, award-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne said there could likely be a second season of the Netflix drama, but fans might be in for a wait.
“There’s not going to be a second series that involves the Miller family,” he confirmed to presenters Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne.
“So, if we ever do anything else with the format, which we might do in years to come [it won’t involve the Millers]. But we’ve got nothing at the moment.”
He also admitted: “Stephen said there might be something at the back of our brains somewhere, there isn’t anything. I’ve got this brain and I know Stephen’s brain and there is nothing there at the moment, but give us time and there might be something else.”
Adolescence is the sixth project Stephen and Jack worked on together, and they are both keen that it won’t be the last.
“We love the one shot format, so if we were going to do something else using the one-shot format, that might be a sort of… at the moment, there’s nothing,” Jack told the BBC show.
It’s no surprise the writing duo keep getting asked about a second series.
Adolescence is one of Netflix’s highest rated and most-watched shows, making UK TV viewing history last year when it was watched by 6.45 million people in its first week, and was subsequently nominated for 13 Emmys, winning nine.
Not only did it make a star of its lead, Owen Cooper, who will next be seen in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights as a young Heathcliff, but it also made Stephen and Jack two of the most in-demand creators in television.
Jack was appearing on the One Show couch to promote his new adaptation of Lord Of The Flies, which will air on BBC One on Sunday 8 February at 9pm.
All four episodes of Adolescence are streaming now on Netflix.
The news that Noel Gallagher is to receive a special award at this year’s Brits has left some music fans with questions.
On Wednesday night, the Brit Awards announced that during the 2026 ceremony, which is due to take place in Noel’s hometown of Manchester later this month, the Oasis singer will be picking up the Songwriter Of The Year Award, which has previously been given to the likes of Raye, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran.
Now, there’s no denying that Oasis had an absolutely epic year in 2025, with their sold-out reunion tour leading to a chart resurgence that at one point meant three of the band’s albums were all back in the UK top five at the same time.
As the primary songwriter in Oasis, he also penned hits like Live Forever, Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova, and has gone on to enjoy success with his group Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
However, it still hasn’t escaped some people’s attention that Noel’s Songwriter Of The Year award comes at the end of a year in which he… well… hasn’t actually shared any new material…
That being said, others were still thrilled to hear about Noel’s latest accolade…
It’s also been pointed out that in 2013, Noel claimed he would not be attending the Brit Awards again unless he were to be recognised with an award for his songwriting.
Brit Awards committee chair Stacey Tang enthused: “For more than three decades, Noel has crafted songs that have become part of our collective story – bold, brilliant, and always recognisable.
“His songs have soundtracked memories for multiple generations and defined the spirit of British music globally. Honouring Noel as Songwriter Of The Year celebrates a remarkable body of work and a creative force that continues to connect and inspire artists and fans worldwide.”
Meanwhile, Mark Ronson is also set to receive the Outstanding Contribution prize at the upcoming Brits, where Jacob Alon will be awarded the Critics’ Choice title.
When my son was born profoundly deaf, I suddenly understood how isolating it can feel when the world doesn’t reflect your experience.
As a parent, I wanted him to see that his hearing loss didn’t define him, but I didn’t know where to start. I’d grown up as a child of deaf parents, but television never showed families like mine.
We were invisible. And I feared my son would feel the same.
That’s why the new Peppa Pig storyline, in which George (Peppa’s younger brother) is revealed to be deaf, feels so powerful.
It’s the first time many children, and their parents, will see a character like George navigating hearing loss in a mainstream children’s show.
It’s not just entertainment; it’s representation that can reassure children that they belong, and that differences are normal.
Watching George go for a hearing test and start using a hearing aid is the kind of story I wish I’d had when my son was little.
The storyline makes it clear that hearing technology can help, but it doesn’t fully restore typical hearing, whilst also giving parents the language to start conversations and explain hearing loss in ways that are relatable and reassuring.
For parents who are just discovering their child may have hearing loss, it can feel overwhelming. You may notice signs like delayed speech, talking too loudly or too softly, difficulty responding to sounds, or watching closely what others are doing before doing it themselves.
My advice to parents is to trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s always worth speaking to your GP. You can also contact us at the National Deaf Children’s Society for one-to-one advice and guidance, as well as local support in the heart of your community. Early support can make a huge difference in a child’s development, confidence and communication skills.
Storylines like George’s also make hearing technology visible. Many children wear hearing aids or other devices, and yet these are rarely seen in everyday media.
Seeing George explore the world with a hearing aid – splashing in puddles, going to the park, playing with Peppa – reinforces that deaf children can fully enjoy childhood experiences. Representation like this is not just comforting, it is empowering.
Of course, no single story can capture every experience, but authenticity matters. These new episodes were developed with guidance from our team at the National Deaf Children’s Society, and they reflect the realities of deaf children’s lives, from navigating appointments to adjusting to new sounds. That kind of insight makes the representation credible, relatable, and ultimately supportive for families.
For me, it’s deeply personal. As a parent, I want my son to grow up seeing himself reflected in the world around him, feeling confident that his deafness doesn’t set limits on what he can do. And as a child myself of deaf parents, I know that seeing stories like this could have helped my parents feel more visible when they were raising me.
Peppa Pig may be a cartoon, but for deaf children and their families, it sends a real-world message: you are seen, you are valued, and your experiences matter.
And for parents, it is a reminder that seeking support, trusting your instincts, and sharing stories with your children can help them feel safe, confident, and understood.
George Crockford is CEO at The National Deaf Children’s Society, which supports deaf children with any level of hearing loss, offering expert information, practical guidance and one-to-one support for families, as well as local support in communities across the UK.
The new Peppa Pig episodes will air on Milkshake from 9th March. For more information and to explore resources for deaf children and families, visit www.ndcs.org.uk/georgepig.
Credit: Adobe Stock
Keith Bristow, Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council’s Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG)
| Betting and Gaming Council
I have spent the vast majority of my career working to understand how criminals operate and protecting the public from their criminality.
Over the past decade, since leaving law enforcement and now chairing the Betting and Gaming Council’s Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG), one trend has become increasingly clear to me: the illegal gambling market is getting worse, not better.
I take no position for or against gambling. For many it is simply a lawful leisure activity. My concern is that gambling should not be used for illegal purposes, and the illegal black market crosses that line every day.
Criminals weigh risk against reward when it comes to selecting the victims they wish to target and the methods they choose, and illegal gambling currently offers one of the most favourable balances they can find. Crucially, as the regulated sector has strengthened its compliance measures, the illegal market has grown more sophisticated. It has no age checks, no safer gambling protections, no anti-money-laundering controls and no tax contribution. It creates opportunities for criminals to move money with minimal challenge, and the nature and scale of associated offending is too often not understood or overlooked.
Independent EY analysis, following last year’s Budget, shows the future consequences clearly: more than £6bn in stakes diverted to illegal operators and a 140 per cent increase in the size of the black market. This weakens the regulated sector and reduces long-term tax revenues.
The UK already has a regulatory system designed to protect consumers and uphold integrity, and the licensed market plays its part in meeting those expectations. But no system is effective without robust enforcement and illegal operators are expanding with very little resistance from decision makers and those charged with enforcing the law. We should be asking what is being done to address this, where the money goes, what wider criminality it enables and why an unregulated market is being allowed to operate with so little scrutiny.
The additional £26m for the Gambling Commission in the Budget is welcome and necessary. The key question now is what difference it will make in practice: how will this funding increase the risks for those who operate illegally and protect the public from them?
Everyone should comply with the law and with the regulations designed to protect consumers. BGC members are already investing in compliance, strengthening controls and enforcing responsible standards. But their efforts are undermined if illegal operators continue to grow beyond the reach of effective enforcement.
As long as the black market remains a low-risk and high-reward environment for criminals, it will continue to expand, and that must change. So I ask government and the Gambling Commission directly: what are you going to do to ensure the black market is not a risk-free enterprise? Unless that question is answered and action follows, the public will be exposed to harm while criminal activity continues unchecked.
Starmer crisis 1) PM fights for his future over Mandelson scandal
“Sir Keir Starmer and his chief of staff are fighting for their political futures after the prime minister admitted he was warned about Lord Mandelson’s friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him as ambassador to the US. Starmer told the Commons that he was aware of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, including the fact that the peer stayed at the financier’s Manhattan apartment while he was in jail for child prostitution offences. Starmer claimed that Mandelson had “lied” about the depth and extent of his relationship with Epstein, but the prime minister faced a backlash from his own MPs. One cabinet minister said the appointment of Mandelson was “very hard to defend” and was “yet another self-inflicted wound”. – The Times
- Starmer engulfed in leadership speculation as he backtracks over Mandelson papers – FT
- Labour MPs say Starmer’s days are numbered amid fury over Mandelson – Guardian
- Starmer in grave peril – Daily Mail
- PM fights desperate last stand – Daily Express
- Mutinous Labour MPs taking control of party – The Sun
- Starmer ‘shakes’ with ‘anxiety’ – Daily Express
- Pressure grows on McSweeney over Mandelson ambassador appointment – FT
- How Mandelson’s protege became Starmer’s right-hand man – Daily Telegraph
- The ex-minister in charge of the Mandelson files – Daily Telegraph
Comment
- Disowned by his MPs, despised by the public, Starmer must know the game is up – Gordon Rayner, Daily Telegraph
- These are the humiliating death throes of Starmer’s sordid regime – Allister Heath, Daily Telegraph
- Starmer seriously, if not yet fatally, wounded – Editorial, The Sun
- Starmer’s stock answers don’t work when the cock-up is this painful – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
- Mandelson’s treachery has revived the sulphurous rage of Brown – Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph
- Mandelson was out of his depth with Epstein – Juliet Samuel, The Times
Starmer crisis 2) Rayner leads Labour MPs in revolt against Starmer
“Angela Rayner has forced Sir Keir Starmer into an about-turn over his handling of the Lord Mandelson scandal. The Prime Minister’s own MPs are calling for him to consider his position after the planned release of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US descended into chaos. The files were set to be released by the Prime Minister’s most senior civil servant. But in a severe blow to Sir Keir’s authority, Downing Street was forced to hand the process to Parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC) after Ms Rayner and senior Labour MPs insisted No 10 should not decide what material is published.” – Daily Telegraph
- Mandelson’s web of influence inside the Labour Party – The Times
- Epstein told Mandelson he was hiring strippers to celebrate prison release – Daily Telegraph
- What Starmer knew – The Times
- Mandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggest – BBC News
- Farage calls for EU to investigate Mandelson’s time in Brussels – FT
>Yesterday:
No 10 confident Trump won’t block Chagos Islands deal
“Downing Street believes that it is close to securing renewed support from the US for its deal to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius despite President Trump labelling the plan an “act of great stupidity”. The president appeared to withdraw his support for the proposal during the row over Greenland, despite having endorsed the plan last year. His change of heart threatened the future of the deal, and ministers privately conceded that the islands could not be returned without America’s blessing because of the importance of the Diego Garcia military base. The Tories have also been lobbying members of the administration to block the handover of the islands, warning that it could allow China a strategic foothold in the islands.” – The Times
Streeting to offer resident doctors bigger pay rise to end dispute
“Wes Streeting is to offer resident doctors a bigger pay rise than other NHS staff as part of a new package of measures to try to end their long-running dispute. The health secretary also plans to guarantee resident doctors in England that hospitals will be fined if they do not give them good working conditions, such as rest areas and access to hot food. Streeting is looking at making a series of improvements to previous offers he has made, which may persuade the British Medical Association (BMA) to call off its nearly three-year-long campaign of industrial action.” – Guardian
Ban on illegal migrants taking taxis to hospital comes into force
Illegal migrants have been banned from taking costly taxis to hospital — as Labour admits small boat numbers may still rise. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has put a stop to the cabs perk following a public outcry. But she was also forced to concede that there was no guarantee Channel small boat crossings would fall this year. Taxpayers are forking out £16 million a year on transport for hotel migrants on top of accommodation costs. One asylum seeker took a taxi 250 miles to see a GP. From today, cabs will be allowed only for the pregnant and those with physical disabilities and they will require sign-off from the Home Office.” – The Sun
- Ban on asylum seekers taking taxis to medical appointments comes into force – Daily Mail
Farage’s two-day trip to Davos cost more than £50,000, documents reveal
“Nigel Farage’s two-day trip to Davos cost more than £50,000 after he was given two guest passes by an Iranian-born billionaire, documents show. The Reform UK leader officially declared his attendance at the conference on the register of MPs’ interests, after giving speeches at the Switzerland summit in which he pledged to “put the global elites on notice”. Despite previously having dismissed the World Economic Forum as a jaunt for “globalists”, Farage also accepted £1,100 of luxury hotel accommodation from the conference organisers.” – Guardian
- Companies House should probe origins of £200,000 gift to Reform, senior MP says – FT
- Reform councillor steps down as head of Kent’s cost-cutting drive – FT
Other political news
- Connolly’s racial hatred charge was fast-tracked – Daily Telegraph
- Palestine Action activists acquitted amid ‘jury tampering’ claims – The Times
- Sanctions having ‘significant impact’ on Russian economy – Guardian
And finally, A mouse scurries behind Badenoch during Peston interview
“As the Mandelson scandal engulfs the Government, Kemi Badenoch had a prime moment on television to capitalise for the Tories. But it was a surprise guest who stole the show – a mouse scurrying in the background. The Conservative leader was caught unawares during an ITV interview with Robert Peston on Wednesday, when she demanded that Sir Keir Starmer release information about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US. Mrs Badenoch appeared not to notice the rodent dashing out from behind a table in her Westminster office as she told Mr Peston that Labour “had to give in” over the fallout from a tranche of files detailing Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.” – Daily Telegraph
News in Brief
Greenland’s prime minister has dismissed Donald Trump’s claims that he and Nato had discussed a deal over the Arctic island’s sovereignty.
The US president backed down over his demands to “control” the semi-autonomous Danish territory two weeks ago, claiming a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” was on the table.
But Jens-Frederik Nielsen poured cold water on his Nato remarks last night.
Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “It’s not my understanding that they’ve discussed a deal.”
However, he added: “We do agree on, we need to do more in a Nato frame in terms of security.
“They will talk about something that maybe could be a deal in some way but we have also said and emphasised we have some really important red lines from our side.”
Details about any Nato arrangement over the island remain unclear, although some reports claim Denmark could cede sovereignty over small parts of Greenland to allow America to build military bases.
Yet Nielsen said: “We have a clear red line, in terms of our borders, our integrity as a country, if somebody wants to push on those we can say that’s a clear red line for us. We are not giving an inch. We will never cede any sovereignty.”
Trump previously suggested paying the islanders or even using US military force to invade the territory last month.
He insisted the island was essential to America’s security amid growing threats from China and Russia within the Arctic Circle.
But his aggression sparked major backlash among Nato allies and European leaders – including British prime minister Keir Starmer – made it clear the territory’s future was up to Greenland and Denmark alone.
Trump furiously threatened to slap 10% import tariffs on the countries which did not allow the US to take over Greenland up until he struck his “framework of a future deal” with Nato chief Mark Rutte.
Nielsen rejected the idea of taking any payment from the US too, saying: “Our right to self-determination is not something we would want to gamble on. I think it’s outrageous if you think you can buy the Greenlandic people.”
The PM also criticised the White House after it circulated a meme of Trump holding the hand of a penguin through a snowy landscape, implied to be Greenland.
Nielsen said he thought they should stop promoting such images, adding: “We don’t have one single penguin in Greenland! I think it shows a lack of knowledge about Greenland, about Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic society… I think it’s unfortunate. When you keep mocking my people… I think it’s insulting.”
Watch the full interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, YouTube.
The comedians forming the cast of the new British version of Saturday Night Live have been unveiled.
Just under a year ago, it was announced that SNL – which has been a staple of US screens for the last 50 years – would be getting its own British iteration for the first time in 2026.
As is the case with the American series, each week, the 11 cast members – made up of up-and-coming faces, some of whom you might recognise from comedy, acting or their social media pages – will be appearing on the live variety show alongside a different celebrity guest host.
Who is on the cast of Saturday Night Live UK?
The full cast list – who’ll be delivering the new tagline “live from London, it’s Saturday night” each week – is as follows:
- Al Nash
- Ania Magliano
- Annabel Marlow
- Ayoade Bamgboye
- Celeste Dring
- Emma Sidi
- George Fouracres
- Hammed Animashaun
- Jack Shep
- Larry Dean
- Paddy Young
Lead producer James Longman enthused: “The UK is absolutely packed with incredible comedy talent right now and this cast represents the freshest voices we have, they’re bold, exciting and of course, incredibly funny.
“The chemistry between them is something special and we can’t wait to share this funny group of people with the world.”
Charlotte Rutherford/Sky UK
Meanwhile, more information on the show’s writing team will be announced in due course.
When does Saturday Night Live UK launch?
Saturday Night Live UK will film in London and air live on Sky, as well as being made available to stream on Now.
The UK version will feature the show’s staple topical monologue, a variety of comedy sketches, musical performances and a British twist on the popular Weekend Update satirical news segment, running for six weeks beginning on Saturday 21 March.
More information on upcoming guest hosts and musical guests will be announced closer to SNL UK’s launch next month.
Last week, the US version of SNL aired its milestone 1000th episode with guest host Alexander Skarsgård and musical performer Cardi B.
Donald Trump has claimed that at least one of his lawsuits against the US government was “essentially” over ― and he won.
NBC’s Tom Llamas asked the president about the $10 billion lawsuit against the Inland Revenue Service and Treasury Department that he filed last week.
“You can’t leak documents. And any money that I win, I’ll give it to charity, 100% to charities, charities that will be approved by government or whatever,” Trump said.
Trump filed the suit because a former IRS contractor leaked his tax returns to The New York Times and ProPublica during his first term, violating IRS confidentiality rules. Those returns showed that Trump, a billionaire with a massive real estate portfolio and other ventures, paid little to no federal income tax in a number of years.
Trump also spoke about another lawsuit he filed demanding $230 million from taxpayers for, among other things, the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago home in 2022, where agents found classified documents.
“Essentially, the lawsuit’s been won,” Trump told Llamas. “I guess I won a lot of money.”
It’s not clear which lawsuit, specifically, he was referring to. However, both of them were against executive branch agencies, which he leads ― and he’s already said that means he can “work out a settlement with myself.”
Trump told Llamas that he would give the money he “won” in his lawsuit to charities such as the American Cancer Society, but the president’s critics don’t find that promise to be reassuring, given his history with nonprofits.
In 2018, the Trump Foundation shut down under judicial supervision amid allegations of self-dealing. He was later ordered to pay $2 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by the state of New York against the charity.
Former New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said the charity had engaged in a “shocking pattern” of “repeated and willful self-dealing.” One example: buying a $10,000 portrait of Trump to hang at one of his golf courses.
The president’s critics responded on X:
Vice President JD Vance let loose on the “incestuous” elites named in the newly released trove of documents on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but sidestepped the fact that the files mention President Donald Trump thousands of times.
Last week, the Department of Justice released millions of pages of files related to the investigation into Epstein, in which the president and many other powerful American figures, including billionaire Elon Musk and former President Bill Clinton, were referenced.
As of yet, they have not been formally accused of wrongdoing in association with Epstein’s crimes.
In an interview with the Daily Mail published on Tuesday, Vance claimed that Trump “never really was friendly with Epstein,” though even Trump confirmed they’d known each other for years.
“President Trump is very much outside of the social circle,” the vice president told the outlet. “He knows a lot of these people. He certainly has similar wealth and power. But he never really was friendly with Epstein in a way that a lot of these other people were.”
Vance added: “I think that it just shows there’s an incestuous nature to America’s elites, and it’s pretty gross. And, a lot of people, I think, it reflects very poorly on them. Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, a lot of others.”
Trump, who socialised with Epstein for years, has given conflicting information about his relationship with the sex abuser, but has said that the two had a falling-out.
While speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on January 31, the president suggested that the latest files “absolve” him of wrongdoing related to Epstein.
“I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left,” he said.
In the same discussion, Trump also threatened that he could take legal action against author Michael Wolff, accusing Wolff and Epstein of “conspiring” against him.
In a February 2016 email that was released, Wolff suggested that Epstein was the “bullet” that could end Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, according to Fox News.
“Wolff, who is a third-rate writer, was conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to hurt me, politically or otherwise, and that came through loud and clear,” Trump added. “So, we’ll probably sue Wolff on that.”
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