Talkback with Petrie Hosken

Huw Edwards is reportedly planning a comeback to TV just two years after pleading guilty to receiving and making indecent images of children, to which he was given a suspended sentence. Following a drama on Channel 5 that showed the former presenter grooming a 17-year old, Edwards issued a statement in which he shared plans to produce his "own account of these terrible events." Would you accept a return to our screens?Petrie speaks to Author and Journalist, Andrew Hosken, who is a former BBC Senior Correspondent, to get his professional insights. She then gets your opinions to see how you would feel if Huw stepped back into the limelight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Louis Theroux’s documentary on Netflix, debates on misogyny and the manosphere have uncovered worrying figures and trends; a large, global scale survey by King’s College London found that almost a third of Gen Z men agree that a wife should always obey her husband. The manosphere is an ecosystem of online communities and groups that spread harmful views about gender, masculinity and women, growing through influencers and social media algorithms and shaping many young boys’ beliefs across the globe.Petrie speaks to Ted Newson from Young Voices UK, who gives his personal account on his experience in the manosphere. Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology, Dr Andrew Fergus Wilson, gives his professional view on this growing trend. Finally she hears from you and what you think it is to be a man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An increasing number of pubs in the UK have been banning children from their establishments. They blame parents who let their children roam around and use the pub as a creche, putting off other punters, and not being able to control or care about the havoc their kids cause to staff. The law generally allows pub landlords to ban children from their premises at their own discretion. Do you accept children in pubs? Or should they be banned? Petrie speaks to Owner of The Whippet Inn in York, Martin Bridge, who doesn't allow under 14s into his establishment, and then she asks you which side of the fence you're on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain, and indeed the rest of Europe, may have to brace for a surge in Iranian asylum seekers as the war in the Middle East continues to escalate. Should Israel and America be held accountable and need to provide support as European borders are under threat of being swamped from a huge influx looking to escape. Just how should Europe deal with this potential coming crisis?Petrie takes your calls after discussing this with Political Correspondent at The Sunday Times in Scotland, John Boothman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Industry experts have warned that Britain faces a significant shortfall of supply in oil and gas within the next two months that would force ministers to “ration” supplies if the war in the Middle East continues. Further, in a bid to save petrol, motorists could face speed restrictions under Government plans to help Britain cope with a fuel crisis similar to the one in the 70s. Are you prepared for fuel rationing to take effect?Petrie speaks to Head of Economy and Environmental Policy at The New Economics Foundation, Chaitanya Kumar, to dive deeper into this story, before hearing from you and finding out if you're worried for something like this to happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister today said that the UK will not be drawn into a wider war over Iran, causing the US president's furore, as he said that he's not happy about Starmer's stance. The two had spoken last night as Trump repeated calls for other nations to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz. The US president has thundered that a lack of cooperation would be very bad for the future of NATO, while the international alliance responded that this is not NATO’s war.How should The UK respond to Trump's demands? First, Petrie asks Defence Analyst and Author, Paul Beaver, before hearing what you have to say during Talkback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first set of documents linked to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States have been released. The documents show that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was told that Mandelson's relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein posed a reputational risk and that his appointment was weirdly rushed. It was also revealed that Mandelson had asked for a severance pay of £547,000 but received £75,000. With the release of these files, has time run out now for Keir Starmer?Petrie goes over the documents and their findings with Political Editor at The Huffington Post UK, Kevin Schofield, before getting your thoughts and opinions on whether it's time for the PM to walk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A large group made up of lawyers, top barristers and retired judges have called on the government to rethink plans to abolish some jury trials. A proposal, known as the Courts and Tribunals Bill, has passed the Commons as MPs have backed it at second reading by 304 to 203, so it will now have amendments considered. It would replace juries in England and Wales with a single judge in cases where the maximum sentence would be up to three years. The aim is to help ease Crown Court backlog which has reached record levels with 80,000 cases, meaning some defendants charged today may not face a trial until 2030.Can the justice system work effectively without juries? Petrie gets the professional opinion from Criminal Defence Barrister, Andrew Taylor, before hearing your opinions as you get the chance to talk back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit the US as it celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence, but calls for the state visit to be cancelled are growing over the US president’s attacks on the British government. Do you think this visit should take place?Petrie speaks to you after hearing from Daily Mail Columnist, Robert Hardman, who wrote 'King Charles III, The Inside Story'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been five days since the start of this war in Iran that began with the assassination of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US and Israeli forces have continued their intense strikes across the country, with the US sinking an Iranian warship while Israel has attacked Hezbollah targets in Beirut and NATO has shot down a ballistic missile heading for Turkey. Meanwhile the UK, the prime minister has told MPs the UK government "does not believe in regime change from the skies". So how do you feel about the UK and USA's "special relationship.Petrie speaks to Political Correspondent at The Sunday Times in Scotland, John Boothman, to get his views on the currently conflict, before asking you if you think that the "special relationship" really is still special. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supporters of the Iranian government flew the flag of the Ayatollahs in central London in protest at American and Israeli air strikes. Hundreds of pro-regime activists gathered in Parliament Square to condemn the bombing of Tehran and other Iranian targets, brandishing placards showing a portrait of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, and the slogan “Choose the Right Side of History”. With more marches on the horizon, Petrie is asking, do you feel protests like these should be banned in times of war?We hear your opinions after getting expert analysis from Retired British Colonel, Simon Diggins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US and Israel have been attacking Iran for a third day, while Tehran has continued its retaliatory strikes against Washington's allies across the Gulf. The conflict has been spreading across the region, with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants trading fire and, according to Lebanese officials, at least 31 people have been killed in Israeli strikes. In a special show, Petrie looks into the issues in the middle east from multiple angles.Firstly for the local perspective, Middle East Lecturer at SOAS University, Dr Rowena Abdul Razak, lays out the events of the last few days and the impact they've had. Former Newspaper Editor and Political Commentator, David Wooding, reacts to Keir Starmer making it clear the UK will not be joining offensive action. Finally, Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad UK, George King, shows the American perspective after Donald Trump outlines his military objectives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced that fly-tipping incidents across England have reached the highest level since current records began, with most offences continuing to involve household waste. Petrie is asking how do we deal with it? Are the councils to blame for making it so difficult to dump waste properly?Chief Executive of UK Commercial Group, Tony Earnshaw, gives his opinion on why these figures are so high and reveals what he sees day to day while working for a company that deals with waste. You then get your chance to talk back and give your suggestions as to what can be done about this rising issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war in Ukraine reaches 4 years and shows no sign of ending, in a special Talkback show, Petrie asks, how much longer can we continue to support Ukraine? Firstly she speaks to Security and Intelligence Studies Professor, Anthony Glees, who looks back over the events in Ukraine since the start of the war. Odessa Resident, Olexy, gives an idea of what it's like to currently be living in Ukraine as he gives his personal account on the thoughts and feeling of the Ukrainian people in the country. Finally, Ukrainian Journalist and Activist, Maria Romanenko, highlights the perspectives of those who have fled the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could have a much greater impact on King Charles III that it would originally seem after a new set of emails have revealed that The King was aware of the “secret deals”. Some suggest that if the King had any idea of his brother's alleged misconduct while in public office, it could be cause for an early end to his reign.Petrie gets the opinion of Former Director of Communications for The Conservative Party, Amy Fisher, before asking you, do you believe that The King can survive this scandal? What is the extent of the knowledge that both he and the late Queen Elizabeth II had prior? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The National Crime Agency has reported that an average of 1,000 suspected child sex abusers are being arrested every month, with the number of arrests doubled in the past 3 years. Paedophiles use technology and online platforms to find like minded individuals and create, share and promote child sex abuse material. It may not be the most pleasant of conversations, but Petrie gets your opinions after first speaking to Consultant Psychiatrist and Broadcaster, Dr Raj Persaud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government launched an AI Action Plan last year to work with new technology towards transforming and delivering an improved justice system. As part of this plan, we now understand that artificial intelligence could be used to predict criminals of the future by identifying children who could turn to crime as they grow up. Petrie wants to know if you trust AI to do this job properly, or are you worried it's going to be unfair?She takes your calls after hearing from Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Emma Cunningham, to get her thoughts on how these algorithms could play out, and CEO of Bang Edutainment, Jennifer Ogole OBE, who works on early intervention of young people at risk of social exclusion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former US President, Barack Obama, said in an interview that aliens are real but that he has not seen them. He later clarified on social media that his comments were made in line with the spirit of the speed round of questions, adding that statistically the chances are that life is out there but he saw "no evidence" while serving as president. But what evidence do we have on extra terrestrial life? Are governments concealing evidence? Is there anyone out there? Petrie puts these questions to you after hearing from Broadcaster, Richard Lawrence, who wrote 'UFOs & The Extra-terrestrial message'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK Government was elected with a manifesto commitment to lower the voting age for reserved elections to 16. The commitment was not included in the first King’s Speech of the new Parliament, but the government says it still plans to legislate before the next general election. Most other parties in the House of Commons support lowering the voting age. The Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party are opposed. Petrie wants to know how you feel on 16 year olds being able to vote and if you believe the system is fine as it is.Before taking your calls, Retired British Colonel, Simon Diggins, lays out how he believes that you shouldn't be able to vote on what can't affect you, such as tax when you don't pay tax, or military deployment when you're too young to serve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new YouGov poll has showed that an overwhelming 82% of people think the King should push Andrew to give evidence to the police in the US over the Epstein files. King Charles made his first intervention on the scandal and said that Buckingham Palace is ready to support the police. Meanwhile, the future King, Prince William, is on a state visit in Saudi Arabia and did not answer any press questions on the matter. How dangerous is this scandal for the monarchy? Could this be the undoing of the Royal family? Talk's Royal Correspondent, Rupert Bell, gives his professional opinion on how he feels the royals need to act to get past this trying time. Petrie then gets your thoughts on how the monarchy comes back from this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.