Talk Drive with Kevin O'Sullivan

Kevin O’Sullivan is joined by Mark Dolan and Angela Levin to discuss the latest revelations surrounding Meghan Markle and her father, Thomas Markle.

What do the latest developments tell us about the increasingly strained relationship between the Duchess of Sussex and her father? Kevin, Mark and Angela examine the stories making headlines today, explore the family tensions behind the latest news, and debate what these revelations could mean for Meghan and the wider Royal Family.

With sharp analysis, candid opinions and plenty to discuss, this is an in-depth conversation about one of the most talked-about family dramas surrounding the Sussexes.

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Today, Kevin is joined by Robert Bates to discuss Shabana Mahmood’s efforts to push back against cabinet colleagues over the migrant crackdown. Robert tells Kevin that he is confident the reforms will not go ahead, predicting that by the next general election, two million people will have indefinite leave to remain, with some also having obtained British passports.

Kevin is then joined by Sir David Bell, who led the independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges. They discuss the importance of schools having clear codes of conduct for both staff and students, as well as the need to strengthen guidance on political impartiality. Sir David emphasises that teachers should encourage open debate and discussion while ensuring they do not impose their own personal biases on pupils.

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Today, Kevin O’Sullivan is joined by author and columnist Jake Wallis Simons to discuss the day’s biggest stories. They begin by examining reports that National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is facing pressure following his wife’s comments calling for the Palestine Action ban to be lifted. They also discuss the controversy surrounding the so-called ‘Palestine Poppy’, designed by an Oxford-educated NHS paediatrician. Later, Gavin Ashenden joins Kevin to discuss Prince Harry’s reported desire to reconcile with his family.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Talk presenter Alex Phillips to discuss the riots that have erupted in France.

Falklands War Veteran Simon Weston CBE reacts to activists selling a ‘Palestine poppy’ ahead of Remembrance Day.

Plus, political commentator Ellie Hodges reports on the Battle of Ideas festival.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by writer Graham Linehan to discuss the apology he received from the police following his arrest.

Connie Shaw, external affairs officer at the Free Speech Union, weighs in on a video of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Chancellor John Healey riding in a tuk-tuk in Bangkok.

Plus, broadcaster and writer Adam Brooks reacts to a new poll suggesting Labour could secure a 56-seat majority in the Commons.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Kim Bailey, chairwoman of the Crowborough Shield, and the women of Piddington, to discuss MPs rejecting a Conservative motion opposing Labour’s plans to house 1,256 male asylum seekers at a former military site near Piddington.

Plus, former Met Police Detective, Peter Bleksley, responds to Ayoub Khan MP’s criticism of claims that police fabricated evidence against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.

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Today, Kev is joined by Jewish comedian Harry Deansway, who was expelled from a writing group after describing himself as a Zionist. They discuss how Zionism has become a toxic word and explore the line between conscious and unconscious antisemitism.

Later, Kevin is joined by former Conservative MP John Redwood to discuss Andy Burnham’s apparent retreat from claims of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum, following criticism from the Conservatives.

They also examine reports of a divide within the Green Party over Caroline Lucas, amid claims that pro-Palestinian Greens want to remove her from the party’s ranks, branding her “toxic”.

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Today, Kevin O’Sullivan reacts to Andy Burnham’s first speech back in Parliament after recess, in which he argued that closer ties with the EU could boost economic growth and help tackle illegal immigration.

Kevin is first joined by Tom Slater, editor of Spiked, to unpack Burnham’s remarks and discuss what he sees as the continued failure to accept Brexit. Darren Grimes then joins Kevin to discuss Nigel Farage’s speech today, in which he pledged to shut down the asylum system.

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Today, Kevin’s top story focuses on Zack Polanski’s major by-election defeat. Kevin is joined by Luke Gittos and Gavin Ashenden to discuss the implications of the defeat, Polanski’s political future, and his battle to retain control of the Green Party.

Other topics include criticism of Green Party councillors for choosing October 7 to seek permission to raise the Palestinian flag, as well as Robert Jenrick’s claim that “millions and millions” of people in England are not “culturally or ethnically” English. The comments have intensified an ongoing row over national identity that is increasingly dividing the political Right.

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Kevin O’Sullivan is joined by several guests to reflect on and commemorate the horrors that took place in Israel three years ago today.

The aunt of Avigail Idan, a young girl who was just three years old when she was taken hostage after her parents were killed in front of her, recounts the harrowing events of that day and the fear that Avigail herself had been killed. She also speaks about the deep pain and grief felt across Israel today following the loss of so many lives.

Jake Wallis Simons joins Kevin to discuss the anniversary further, as well as some of the other major stories making headlines today.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O’Sullivan is joined by Reform UK’s Darren Grimes to discuss the public reaction to Andy Burnham’s speech at the Labour Party Conference.

Former Met Police Detective, Mike Neville, shares his views on the early-release scheme as prisoners are freed this week.

Plus, former deputy leader of the Green Party, Shahrar Ali, responds to the party’s new 'inclusive terminology' guidance, which advises against using words including 'mother' and 'father.'

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On Talk Drive, Alex Phillips sits in for Kevin O'Sullivan.

She's joined by Nile Gardiner, former aide to Margaret Thatcher, to discuss reports a pilot was stabbed in a suspected hijacking of an Israeli-bound flight.

Plus, broadcaster and podcast host, Nuriyah Khan, reacts to reports that a council told staff the Virgin Mary wore a hijab.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick to react after Andy Burnham's speech at the Labour Party Conference.

Former aide to Margaret Thatcher, Nile Gardiner, also shares his reaction and discusses the release of five men on bail, who were arrested in connection with an alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by former Special Forces adviser Ant Middleton and Spiked Online editor Tom Slater to discuss the arrest of five people near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Plus, journalist Nicole Lampert reacts to Dawn French being replaced in M&S advertising. The comedian has previously posted political videos online.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by lead organiser of the Pink Ladies, Orla Minihane, to respond to reports that 83,279 small boat migrants have arrived in the UK since the general election, which is larger than the size of the regular British Army.

Independent journalist Sarah White discusses footage of a migrant leaving a child in the water whilst attempting to board a dinghy.

Plus, Annunziata Rees-Mogg, head of communications at Popular Conservatism, gives her reaction after a man was jailed for throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at police during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Talk's international editor Isabel Oakeshott and Christian Drogan from Watchman UK, to discuss an investigation alleging that a charity is helping adult asylum seekers pose as children.

Mark Littlewood, director of Popular Conservatism UK, also gives his opinion on the migrant crisis in the UK.

Plus, former Conservative MP, Nick Fletcher, shares his view on Bristol’s Green Party-led council planning to ban flags from being displayed on lampposts.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Piers Morgan, host of Piers Morgan Uncensored, after Earl Spencer apologised to him for an error in his book 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.'

Plus, editor-at-large at The Sun, Harry Cole, shares his view on Prime Minister Andy Burnham meeting Donald Trump at the United Nations in New York City.

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On Talk Drive, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Piddington resident Louise Brooker responds to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s comments about women feeling unsafe in society, as local residents raise concerns over a migrant camp.

Plus, social policy analyst Dr Rakib Ehsan and Reform UK’s Darren Grimes join Kevin to analyse the day’s biggest political stories and latest headlines.

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Kevin discusses the day's major royal news following the release of Earl Spencer's new autobiography serialisation.

He is joined by several guests, including Dai Davies, former head of royal protection, Gavin Ashenden, famously the former Chaplain to the Queen and Robert Jobson, Author of The Windsor Legacy.

They all discuss how these revelations may affect the current situation within the Royal family and what might be deemed true and false from this autobiography.

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Kevin O’Sullivan discusses the big story in town as English village Piddington votes to leave the UK in protest over the migrant housing plan.

Sarah Pochin from Reform UK joins Kevin to discuss after she spent the day in Piddington yesterday speaking with residents.

He is then joined by Christine Jardine a Liberal Democrat MP who said that if the UK had stayed in the EU, Britain would be better able to control the migrant situation.

Kevin then speaks with Councillor Malcolm Taylor, a conservative councillor in North Yorkshire who has been dealing with a similar issue to Piddington in his nearby local village Linton-on-Ouse.

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