The Leader

Robert Jenrick & Richard Desmond: is a "smoking gun" still to be found? & travel journalist Simon Calder on the rumoured new holiday rules

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Episode notes

A trove of documents, emails and text messages that was supposed to clear Robert Jenrick of allegations he did billionaire Richard Desmond a favour over a planning decision has done anything but. Questions are being raised about the Housing Secretary’s relationship with the businessman, who was complaining about “Marxists” plotting against his plans to build 1,500 homes at Westferry in East London. 

The Evening Standard's political editor Joe Murphy joins the podcast to talk about new documents he's seen covering the affair. 

Also, holiday operators are reporting a sudden surge in bookings for Mediterranean villas offering “privacy and space” following reports that air bridges to leading European destinations will be available from next week. A scramble to save a peak summer season worth up to £20 billion is under way ahead of an expected formal announcement on Monday that the much criticised quarantine rules for travellers returning to Britain will start to be eased. Travel journalist Simon Calder, though, says it's too little too late. 

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