Fire and Franchising
Episode 41
15 January 2019
A triple bill for 2019: Jane Mackenzie discusses the dangerous cuts to the fire service and Adam Macqueen reveals the 'local' telly which is anything but. PLUS a special report from Francis Wheen on whether Brexit is more like Agincourt, Suez, or the Battle of Hastings. (Spoiler alert: it's all of them!)
Ian Hislop & Private Eye magazine venture into the world of audio with Page 94, a brand new podcast featuring Helen Lewis, Adam Macqueen and Andrew Hunter Murray. Subscribe at Apple, Spotify, Google or Amazon and send your podcast related questions to podcast@private-eye.co.uk.
Page 94 Episodes
129. Private Eye - The Year In Review 2024
December 2024. Ian Hislop is joined by Harry Enfield, Jan Ravens and Lewis Macleod to bring the Private Eye annual 2024 (available in shops now. Ed.) to the stage. Featuring EJ Thribb, Sir Herbert Gussett, St. Paula and Keir Starmer's leaked WhatsApp group!
128. Tales From The Crypto
December 2024. The team (plus special guest Matt Muir) explain why cryptocurrency has been pumped up in the USA and why it’s only going to get bigger in the UK. Plus what’s happening in the race between the Tortoise and the Observer, and the government’s mixed messaging on electric cars.
127. Inheriting the earth
November 2024. Ian recounts his impolite encounter with Justin Welby, before the team discuss the Observer strikes, the Telegraph sale and the latest developments in Murdochworld.
Plus, an AI-voiced Bio Waste-Spreader reports back from the farmers’ inheritance tax protests.
126. MAGA, monarchy and Welby’s woes
November 2024. Adam, Ian and Helen discuss the fallout from Donald Trump’s election victory, Prince Andrew’s housing crisis and how Prince William became his dad’s landlord. Then, Francis Wheen joins the team to talk about Justin Welby’s involvement in a historic child abuse scandal.
125. US Election Special
October 2024. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy discuss the vote-a-geddon about to happen in the USA, and back on this side of the pond uncover the great history of political punch-ups.
124. Court Short
October 2024. The team look at delays in the court system, the new news on the old proposals to redevelop Wimbledon’s tennis infrastructure, and the government’s investment rumble with P&O. Featuring, Adam, Andy, Jane Mackenzie and Sarah Shannon.
123. Party Games
October 2024. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy discuss the Ghosts of Tories Past currently hanging around the conference (many with new books to plug), say 'goodbye' to the Evening Standard and 'good riddance' to Mohamed Fayed.
122. Labour's Freebies and The End of the Peers Show
September 2024. The team discuss why Keir Starmer should have gone to Specsavers; why the 92 hereditary members of the House of Lords might not be there much longer; and who will win the Murdoch succession battle playing out in a Nevada courtroom.
121. Reasons To Be Keir-Ful
September 2024. The team discuss the government's new strategy of Maximum Gloom, Donald Trump's dipshit strategy, and why you should think twice before sending a Telegram.
120. Summer Books Special
August 2024. Adam, Helen, Andy and the Eye's book reviewer D.J.Taylor recommend the greatest political biographies ever written, from Louis XIV to Nadine Dorries via Chips Channon.
119. They Predict A Riot
August 2024. How online disinformation (and dubious reporting) contributed to the last week's riots across Britain. Plus, a look at the Conservative Leadership betting odds (place your bets now!) and a look at how Huw Edwards has changed in the last year.
118. Bye-Biden
July 2024. The team discuss the news from across the pond, plus Labour’s record-breakingly short honeymoon; and MD, AKA Phil Hammond, reveals the uncertainties of the Lucy Letby case.
117. A New Pod For Britain
July 2024. All the fallout from last week's election, what the New Boys and Girls will bring to government (and the Old New Boys And Girls too) and what bunfights the Page 94 team are looking forward to in this parliament. With Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy.
116. Pre-Election Special
July 2024. A special mini-episode treat - the wit and wisdom of Nigel Farage (is this right? Ed), as channelled by the Eye’s Craig Brown and Lewis Macleod. Find out what Nigel REALLY thinks about good old-fashioned British maths.
115. False Advertising
June 2024. A final pre-election special on the state of online advertising, the Tories' gambling problem, the new Never-Nigels and the British Invasion of American newsrooms. With Ian Hislop, Adam Macqueen, Matt Muir, Helen Lewis, and Andrew Hunter Murray.
114. Special Non-Emergency Election Episode
June 2024. Helen, Adam and Andy try to answer your questions about the election - not 'who's going to win?' (everyone knows that) but the more interesting bits. Plus a special double quiz of Eyes past and campaigns present.
113. Footies #7: And The Winner Is...
June 2024. Ian Hislop reveals the winner, live from BAFTA, of the 2024 Paul Foot Award!
112. Footies #6: Hospital Passing-The-Buck
June 2024. Rebecca Thomas of the Independent describes her broad and shocking investigation into the failures in the UK’s mental health system. The last in the Paul Foot Award 2024 mini-series.
111. Footies #5: The Challenging Mr Odey
June 2024. Paul Caruana Galizia (Tortoise) and Antonia Cundy (Financial Times) discuss their joint piece on Crispin Odey, the former hedge fund manager now denying multiple allegations of sexual assault. Part five of the 2024 Paul Foot Award mini-series.
110. Footies #4: Duel Narratives
June 2024. Lewis McBlane of the Northern Scot on the most important road you (probably) haven’t heard of – the A96 and the 80-year campaign to add another lane to it. Part four of our mini-series on the Paul Foot Awards.
109. The Footies 3: Taking the OPIS
June 2024. Humberto Rocha of the Oil Price Information Service on some dodgy dealing in Big Carbon... in part three of our new investigative mini-series interviewing the investigative reporters behind six remarkable pieces of journalism shortlisted for this year’s Paul Foot Award.
108. The Footies #2: A Mental Health Crisis
June 2024. Part two of our new investigative mini-series interviewing the reporters behind six remarkable pieces of investigative journalism, all shortlisted for this year’s Paul Foot Award. Today, Justine Smith of The House magazine on the crisis in children’s mental health services.
107. Paul Foot Awards Special #1
June 2024. A brand new mini-series from Page 94: interviews with the reporters behind six remarkable pieces of investigative journalism, all shortlisted for the prestigious Paul Foot Award 2024. Today, Tristan Kirk of the Evening Standard on the scandal of the Single Justice Procedure.
106. A Washed Up Government
May 2024. The team discuss the laws that are being shoved through parliament before the electoral iron curtain descends (and those that are being left on the other side), plus an update from Richard Brooks on the latest goings-on at the Post Office inquiry.
105. Defection, Dwellings and Domesticated Animals
May 2024. Helen, Adam and Andy discuss MPs changing sides, power in the rental market changing hands, and Jeremy Clarkson changing into Greta Thunberg.
104. Councils of Despair
May 2024. Tim Minogue joins Helen, Adam and Ian to talk Rotten Boroughs, the fall of Humza Yousaf and how Private Eye outed a spy.
103. Sexual Politics
April 2024. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy talk about upstanding members, retiring ministers and get all Trussed Up.
102. Non-Crimes And Non-Punishment
April 2024. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy learn what you have to do to get arrested in Scotland, investigate which way Rupert Murdoch’s leaning as the election approaches, and finally go where only men have boldly gone before: the Garrick club.
101. Private Eye's Privat-ised
March 2024. Phil Hammond joins Andy, Helen and Adam for a pre-election NHS special all about the state of the health service. Also featuring blown whistles, strained metaphors and some very rude health.
100. Gorging on George
March 2024. Ian, Adam, Jane and Helen discuss royal privacy, the possible resurrection of the Crooked House pub, and the return of George Galloway.
99. Mailbag Mayhem
February 2024. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy unearth the Page 94 Inbox and answer reader questions about every subject under the Sun (or, er, in the Eye).
98. Insane In The Membrane
February 2024. Andy, Ian, Helen and Adam discuss banned courtroom reporting, how to tell a journalist from a politician (hint: it’s impossible), and the crypto-to-politician money pipeline.
97. Post, Polls, Papers and Piles
January 2024. The team discuss the Post Office fallout, polling and when not to believe it, mayhem at the Mirror and finish with the latest National Trust sconefight.
96. Post Haste
January 2024. Private Eye has been reporting on the Post Office scandal for over a decade: Richard Brooks joins the team to discuss how we got here and where things go next. Plus, updates on the Mirror Hacking debacle and the massive profits being made on Teesside.
95. Merry Quizmas
December 2023. In a special between-Christmas-and-New-Year episode, Helen grills Adam and Andy on the big news of 2023. Contains all your favourite characters from the year - Nadine! Boris! Piers Moron! and more Prince Harry than you thought possible.
94. Live In London
December 2023. Ian is joined by Harry Enfield, Jan Ravens and Lewis Macleod to bring the Private Eye annual 2023 (available in shops now. Ed.) to the stage. Featuring Sylvie Krin, EJ Thribb, William McGonagall, Sir Herbert Gussett and many more!
93. Dark Starmer and Dirty COPs
December 2023. The team discuss the Labour leader's newfound love of Thatcher, the news from COP28 and the Telegraph deal that even its journalists are against.
92. Call Me Lord Dave
November 2023. The team discuss the reshuffle, discover what David Cameron has been doing in his gap years, and what Suella Braverman would do if only she were home secretary. Plus: The Crown and a Nadine Dorries quiz.
91. Papers, Paul and Plots
November 2023. The team look at how Fleet Street is covering the Covid Inquiry given their own compromised hacks, discuss the man behind last week's conservative ARC conference, and pick a few holes in Nadine Dorries' The Plot. Plus, Matt Muir reveals what progress Rishi Sunak's AI conference has really made in averting an AI-pocalypse.
90. Electile Dysfunction
October 2023. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy discuss the Conservative by-electoral apocalypse, reveal why Donald Trump could be coming to a court near you, and say a fond farewell to cartoonist Tony Husband.
89. Government By Private Eye
October 2023. Ian, Helen, Andy, and Richard Brooks discuss scrapping HS2, scrap on Teesside, long-delayed justice for victims of the Royal Mail and Labour's new policy of borrowing all its ideas from the pages of the Eye.
88. Brand Management
September 2023. Ian, Helen, Adam and Andrew cover how the papers treated Russell Brand, Rishi Sunak’s climate U-turn, who really writes the Daily Mail's opinion pieces and Rupert Murdoch’s long-awaited step down (or sideways). Plus, Solomon Hughes provides an indispensable guide to the corporate side of Party Conferences, and where to get the best snacks.
87. Putting The 'Con' In Concrete
September 2023. The Eye team discuss failing ceilings, the return of Big Liz Truss, wave goodbye to Mohammed Fayed and reveal why the Tees Valley isn't suing us (yet). Featuring Jane Mackenzie, Adam Macqueen, Helen Lewis, Andrew Hunter Murray and Ian Hislop.
86. Late Lamented Queens
August 2023. Andy, Helen and Adam take a look at the completely resigned Nadine Dorries, the Revenge of the Maybot, and the Great Royal Reboot (where you press a big button and then nothing happens). Plus, Richard Brooks digs into the figures at a very successful - then mysteriously unsuccessful - PPE supplier.
85. Crooked Houses
August 2023. Ian, Helen and Adam join Andrew to discuss the government’s new invention of ‘The Week’, the complete anchor Dan Wootton, and the smallest conceivable audience at the Edinburgh Fringe. Plus, Jane Mackenzie reveals what’s behind the spate of buildings going on fire up and down the country.
84. Bunch Of Coutts
August 2023. Elon Musk’s X marks the spod; debanking Nigel Farage and debagging Coutts; the reinvention of Rishi – the petrolhead PM; plus the inside story of the Royal Free hospital’s stem cell scandal.
83. Water Disaster
July 2023. Helen Lewis, Adam Macqueen and Jane Mackenzie join Andrew Hunter Murray to discuss the week's news: Have I got Huws For You, the imminent by-election bonanza and things (schools) falling apart. Plus, Solomon Hughes and Sarah Shannon reveal the UK's water situation.
82. Fun in the Sun
July 2023. Ian Hislop, Adam Macqueen and Helen Lewis take a look back at the week’s news, including Jeremy Clarkson’s car crash of a column, super injunctions that may or may not exist and children identifying as cats, or possibly just taking the piss. Plus journalist Richard Brooks goes down on the solar farm in Oxfordshire and looks for where the sun isn’t shining.
81. Boris and Inquiries
June 2023. Ian Hislop, Adam Macqueen and Helen Lewis take a look back at the week’s news - including Boris Johnson’s dangerously thin column, big SLAPPS and newspaper fire-sales; and medical correspondent Phil Hammond answers all your inquiries about the Covid Inquiry.
80. Paul Foot Award Part III
June 2023. Find out which of this year’s six entries won the grand prize, in a mini-episode recorded live at the Paul Foot Award in London. Featuring Ian Hislop, chief judge Padraig Reidy, and the Mystery Winner.
79. Paul Foot Award Part II
June 2023. In the second half of the Paul Foot Award Shortlist, teams from the Sunday Times, Vice and the Guardian reveal what they've been digging into - namely Boris Johnson and the BBC chairman, Baroness Mone and a £200million PPE deal, and the dangerous rise of Andrew Tate. Tune in later this week for Part III, live from the award ceremony!
78. Paul Foot Award Part I
June 2023. In the most exciting crossover event in podcast history, the Paul Foot Award comes in three parts this year. In Part I the brilliant hacks from the Times, Observer and Newsquest Cumbria tell their stories, of unregulated psychologists in the family courts, dangerous police Taser use and British Gas breaking into people's homes to fit prepayment meters.
77. Planet-Destroying Technologies
April 2023. Matt Muir provides the Eye’s take on new AI technology ChatGPT, which may well obliterate mankind in a new and exciting way, while Jane Mackenzie reveals the latest on open-cast mines in Wales, which might contribute to wiping out the species in an old-fashioned way.
76. North And South
March 2023. A mega-millions local government derby: Richard Brooks explains the mysterious dealings behind the Teeside ‘Freeport’, and Tim Minogue reveals how Croydon council managed to go bankrupt three times in two years. Free acre of highly contaminated waste ground with every download!
75. Live At The National
December 2022. For the first time since 2019 the Eye returns to the National Theatre for a live rendition of the Private Eye Annual. Including the dulcet tones of Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens, Harry Enfield, and Ian Hislop. Merry Christmas!
74. Offshore Homes and Ing-er-land
December 2022. Jane Mackenzie and Solomon Hughes unravel the tangled tale of who owns Britain’s military housing (spoiler: not only is it not the British government, it isn’t even owned in Britain) and Sarah Shannon takes a quick World Tour of the *other* countries involved in the World Cup who’ve been living up to the high standards set by Qatar. Free kick with every download!
73. NHS and Saudi Deals
August 2022. NHS and Saudi Deals. Heather Mills and the Eye’s medical correspondent Phil Hammond explain all the crises currently afflicting the national health service and what can be done about them; and Solomon Hughes lifts the lid on a mysterious deal between the UK government and Saudi Arabia. 40 free new hospitals (as promised by Boris Johnson) with every download!
72. The Paul Foot Awards 2022
June 2022. Finally being held not-over-Zoom for the first time in three years, this special episode comes from the Paul Foot Awards held to celebrate investigative journalism and commemorate the Eye’s great campaigning journalist Paul Foot. Download now to learn about six fascinating and enraging stories from six brilliant reporting teams!
71. Knights And Queens
May 2022. Richard Brooks reveals the latest on Ehud Sheleg, former Conservative Party treasurer and now Sir Ehud following the donation of a few million pounds; and in a Jubilee Special, Adam Macqueen discusses ‘The Queen And Eye’ and Brenda’s 70-plus appearances on the cover over her 70-year reign. Free gong with every download!
70. Conflict And Classrooms
April 2022. Antony Goldman and human rights correspondent Dr Grim reveal how Russia has spent decades practising for its war on Ukraine in other bits of the world. Plus a rare Good News Special: Eye hack Jane Mackenzie reveals what’s been going on in the government’s troubled Covid-catch-up programme for schools.
69. Slipping Standards
February 2022. Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes discuss their recent appearance with editor Ian Hislop before the Parliamentary Committee on Standards, discussing MPs’ second jobs (and asking the MPs on the committee about their own financial interests). Free £100,000-a-year consultancy position with every download!
68. The Snooty Fox
January 2022. Tim Minogue of Rotten Boroughs tells the story of a pub landlord bankrupted and imprisoned by a local council vendetta, who has finally secured justice after more than 20 years; and housing correspondent Rachael Claye lifts the lid on the government’s (latest) promise to sort out the cladding crisis to see how much good it will actually do.
67. Ho-Ho-Ho House Of Windsor
December 2021. Francis Wheen and Adam Macqueen provide the lowdown behind the punch-up that's knocked the royal family sideways; and Lewis MacLeod and Jan Ravens bring the Eye's 2021 annual to life in our traditional 'Not At The National Theatre Due To Covid' show. 30 minutes of free glorious isolation from the world with every download!
66. A Bunch Of Shits
November 2021. Jane Mackenzie and Karen Liebreich explain the sewage crisis which is sluicing its way into Britain’s rivers and coasts, and human rights correspondent Dr Grim discusses the Iranian regime’s prison system. A thousand free litres of raw effluent with every download!
65. Profits Of Doom
October 2021. Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes cover both ends of the Covid wealth gap - from the companies making mega-millions out of lazy procurement processes all the way to the workers having their wages levelled down rather than up. Free major government contract with every download!
64. MD and Megaliths
August 2021. The Eye’s medical correspondent Phil Hammond discusses what comes next in the fight against Covid, and Jane Mackenzie covers the fight over what happens next under Stonehenge. Free sarsen with every download!
63. It Was 60 Years Ago Today
July 2021. Adam Macqueen and Ian Hislop discuss the forthcoming '60 Yearbook', a guide to the last six decades as seen by Private Eye. Free plug with every download!
62. The Paul Foot Awards 2021
June 2021. Stay six Feet away from everyone else and tune in to the best investigative journalism broadcast of the year, featuring a cast of thousands of brilliant journalists and insights into their work. Featuring Cobra meetings, Barnard Castle, dubious Covid contracts, David Cameron’s text messages, and much, much more.
61. Greensill and Prince Phil
May 2021. Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes return for a follow-up episode about ACOBA and the revolving door - spoiler alert, the problems haven’t been fixed - plus a Reader’s Complaints Special with editor Ian Hislop.
60. Military Mayhem and Mobile Homes
April 2021. Jane Mackenzie and Solomon Hughes discuss the new ‘Integrated Review’ of Britain’s defences in the 21st century, and the thrilling new war machines that don’t quite exist yet; and Heather Mills turns over mobile homes to reveal the pitfalls that lie beneath them. Free BAE Systems Tempest fighter aircraft with every download!
59. Catching Up and Cap'n Bob
March 2021. Jane Mackenzie reveals how the government’s catch-up tutoring programme for Covid-hit schools is going to work (or not work), and Ian Hislop and Francis Wheen discuss the suddenly fashionable Robert Maxwell and his habit of putting on the writs.
58. Lorries, LTNs and Liu
February 2021. Richard Brooks has been on a pilgrimage to Kent to uncover the hidden chaos of Brexit; Tim Minogue reveals the unexpected downsides of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, and Francis Wheen laments the departure of one of the Telegraph's finest hacks, who also happens to be the Chinese ambassador to Britain.
57. Christmas Stock-Pil-Ing
December 2020. MD, AKA Phil Hammond, gives a roundup of the year’s Covid news, Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes look under the bonnet of the government’s latest outsourcing disasters, we speak to Sarah Shannon about Farmed Salmon, and say farewell to the Eye’s friend John Sessions. Free (glass of) port with every download!
56. US Election Fake News Special
October 2020. In a one-off departure from our usual format, Ian Hislop interviews James Alefantis - the Washington restaurateur whose pizza restaurant has been swept up in multiple conspiracy theories - first Pizzagate and now QAnon.
55. Media, MD and Magazines
September 2020. Eye hacks Tim Minogue and Adam Macqueen discuss the latest goings-on at BBC News, who's being sacked and who isn't (yet); Phil Hammond, aka MD, reveals what's going on at The Agency Formerly Known As Public Health England; and Ian Hislop provides some insight into the magazine trade, via the Eye's latest sales figures. Free advert for subscription with every download!
54. Serco, Sailors and Spies
July 2020. Richard Brooks reveals the big governmental lessons from COVID-19, Heather Mills and Sarah Shannon discuss the beggaring of sailors around the world by complacent shipowners, and Francis Wheen reports on the bugging the Fabulous Feuding Barclay Brothers have been engaging in.
53. Nice Footwork
June 2020. This month's podcast comes to you from the Paul Foot Awards 2020, featuring all the shortlisted entries for the best investigative journalism of the year. Includes cameos from Ian Hislop and Chief Judge Padraig Reidy, and sound effects from the star-studded Paul Foot Awards party, recorded last year as parties are no longer allowed. Free canapé with every download!
52. COVID-19
May 2020. This month’s podcast is all about COVID-19. The Eye’s medical correspondent, MD, discusses the latest developments, plus some faint lights at the end of the tunnel, and a team of the Eye’s hacks reveal how the pandemic has affected the EU, education, housing, social media, and the Street of Shame. Free face mask with every download! (Only joking, there are none left anywhere)
51. IICSA
March 2020. This month’s podcast is all about the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Eye’s coverage of it. Featuring Adam Macqueen, Jane Mackenzie and Francis Wheen. Free tin of tomatoes with every download! (Only joking, there are none left.)
50. Grenfell and Scotland
March 2020. Rachael Claye and Peter Apps discuss the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire and the web of failures leading up to the tragedy in 2017. Also, the Eye's Francis Wheen reveals why the Commonwealth is looking askance at its high-rolling Secretary General - who used to work for Private Eye...
49. Going Postal
February 2020. Richard Brooks and Nick Wallis reveal the extraordinary twenty-year scandal that has been dogging the Post Office, the editor discusses how to make fun of the Royal Family, and Flunkey's true identity is revealed (or not). Free sub-postmaster with every download!
48. Live at the National Theatre!
December 2019. An all-star cast brings the Private Eye annual from page to stage for a Christmas bonanza. Starring Ian Hislop, John Sessions, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens and Harry Enfield. Free tiding of comfort and joy with every download!
47. So. Farewell Then...
July 2019. A podcast tribute to the Eye's first editor, Christopher Booker, including interviews with Adam Macqueen and Ian Hislop. Free E.J. Thribb-threnody with every download!
46. 1500 Glorious Episodes
July 2019. As the magazine reaches its 1500th episode, Page 94 interviews Ian Hislop in an OBN special, finds out about the ghost on the 3rd floor, and challenges the Eye's official quizmaster to a quiz.
45. Paul Foot Awards Special
June 2019. Recorded live at Private Eye's annual Paul Foot Awards, this special episode interviews the investigative journalists who have hacked their way through thickets of secrecy and obfuscation and made their way onto the shortlist for the prestigious award. Free canapé with every download!
44. Treasurers, Shopping Malls and Banging On
March 2019. Triple bill for the last in the series! Richard Brooks on the mysterious man running the Tory party's finances; Tim Minogue on cash-strapped councils coming a cropper; and Ian Hislop and Heather Mills on the stories that run for years...and years. Free 'I was reading about this in 1996' badge with every download!
43. China and Forkbenders
February 2019. The Eye's human rights correspondent, the mysterious Dr Grim, reveals what it's like being one of China's Uighur Muslims (spoiler: it's not great), and Adam Macqueen and Francis Wheen commemorate the passing of one of the Eye's great sparring partners/legal threats, Lady Falkender. Free lavender notepad with every download!
42. Mental Health and Dumb Britain
February 2019. Phil Hammond (AKA M.D.) and Heather Mills discuss the state of Britain’s mental health provision, and Marcus Berkmann spills the beans on everyone’s favourite quiz column.
40. Live At The National
December 2018. A star-studded cast of Harry Enfield, John Sessions, Jan Ravens and Lewis MacLeod join editor Ian Hislop for a live show at the National Theatre looking back at the year's news. Free plug for the Private Eye Annual with every download!
39. Probation and Penmanship
November 2018. Solomon Hughes talks us through the woes of the privatised probation service, and cartoonist Richard Jolley gives us a guide to the EU-phemisms cartoon. Free £150 bottle of wine with every download!
38. The Russians Are Coming
November 2018. Page 94 returns! A special episode all about Putin's money-laundering pals, and the British bankers, lawyers and accountants who are letting it happen.
37. Bumper Broadcast Holiday Special
August 2018. School’s out for summer - and, in lots of places, for ever. Jane Mackenzie and Solomon Hughes discuss the government's bizarre new school system - plus, the Eye's social media maven Matt Muir makes his Page 94 debut with a dissection of Facebook's recent woes. The last before the summer holidays - Page 94 Will Return!
36. Doctors and Darrens
July 2018. As the NHS hits 70, Phil Hammond gives a rundown just how run-down it is, and Francis Wheen delivers an 'Eye Told You So' about the Vote Leave spending skulduggery during the Brexit referendum, featuring a mysterious young man called Darren.
35. Lagoons and Lawsuits
July 2018. Sarah Shannon talks us through the travails of a doomed tidal energy project, and Francis Wheen tells the rollicking tale of Telegraph-owning twins the Barclay brothers and their attempts to bang up a blogger. Free speech with every download!
34. Footy Footy Footy
June 2018. A special episode from the Paul Foot Awards, featuring the cream of British investigative journalism, interviews with the judges, and the whole shortlist. Free lukewarm canapé with every download!
33. Bean Counters and Dog Lovers
June 2018. A new series of Page 94! The Eye's tax correspondent Richard Brooks discusses the men who broke capitalism while pretending to be accountants, and Adam Macqueen reveals the Eye's role in Jeremy Thorpe's downfall. Plus, we go to a party.
32. Credit and Christmas
December 2017. Eye hack Heather Mills explains the delays and chaos of the new Universal Credit system of benefits - and, as a CHRISTMAS TREAT, a special preview of the Eye’s annual Eye Annual show at the National Theatre. Free advert for the Private Eye Annual with every download!
31. Paradise and Paper
November 2017. Page 94 speaks to Richard Brooks and Christian Eriksson about the shadowy millionaires keeping their money in sun-kissed foreign islands, and to Grizelda about cartoons and cartooning. Free 'I Remember When The Paradise Papers Were Called The Panama Papers' T-shirt with every download!
30. The Plodcast
October 2017. A special episode on bungling police, including investigations into the Eye's own subscriber list and Ted Heath. With appearances from Jane Mackenzie, Rosie Waterhouse, Francis Wheen, and Ian Hislop. Free Get Out Of Jail card with every download!
29. Brexit and Blood
July 2017. Heather Mills discusses the contaminated blood scandal which has finally been granted a public inquiry, and the series ends with a medley of Eye contributors - led by Our Man In Brussels, Ben Fox - telling us everything we know about Brexit, and everything we don't. Free movement of people with every download!
28. The Paul Foot Awards Return!
June 2017. The Paul Foot Awards return! A special episode from the awards ceremony for investigative journalism, including dodgy fishing quotas, dodgy Garden Bridges, exorcisms and more. Free press with every download!
27. Finance and Forensics
June 2017. Election-Free Special! A strong and stable episode all about how Britain's getting involved in dodgy trade deals overseas, plus the first edition of CSI:94, investigating who murdered Britain's Forensics Science Service. Free enormous bribe with every download!
26. Hospitals And Hacks
May 2017. An election medical special: the Eye's medical correspondent, MD, talks about the Conservatives' last 7 years running the NHS, and a special EYE TOLD YOU SO feature from tech correspondent Emma Woollacott on the NHS computer catastrophe. Free 'I Love Jeremy Hunt' sticker (totally pristine, never before used) with every download!
25. Housing and Secret Identities
April 2017. Eye housing editor Rachael Claye discusses the government's recent Homelessness bill and the state of the housing market, PLUS Ian Hislop on why the Eye's writers trade under assumed names. Free nom de plume with every download!
24. Soldiers And Trump
March 2017. Page 94 returns for a new series! This week: the Eye's military correspondent Paul Vickers reveals the tangled web between the army and private firms, and diarist Craig Brown discusses the best way of channelling the 45th President of the USA. Free Type 45 Destroyer with every download!
23. Courtrooms, Councillors and Completely Bogus News
December 2016. With Ian Hislop, Jane Mackenzie and Tim Minogue. Free Satire Detector with every download!
22. 30 Glorious Years
October 2016. A second special inter-series episode! Ian Hislop has been editor for thirty years. To celebrate, Eye hack Adam Macqueen interviews editor Ian Hislop about his three decades on the Editorial Throne. Free "That's Enough. Ed." sticker with every download!
21. Revolving Doors
September 2016. A special bonus in-between-series episode! This week, the revolving door between government and big business, with the authors of our special report Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes. Free £300,000-a-year job at a FTSE 100 firm with every download!
20. Deepcut
June 2016. A special report with the Eye's Heather Mills, discussing the murky history of the Deepcut barracks and the tragedies that resulted from Army mismanagement. Last in the series - free 'Bring Back Page 94' petition slip with every download...
19. Pubs and Lunches
May 2016. Tim Minogue and Sarah Shannon reveal why so many pubs are closing, and Adam Macqueen and Maisie Glazebrook spill the beans on the Eye's notorious fortnightly lunches. Free pint of Gnome '61 with every download!
18. PF-Eye
May 2016. The Eye's investigative team spill the beans on the why the Private Finance Initiative, the ingenious government money-machine which makes whole schools fall over. Plus an interview with the gag-writing team of Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, the men behind the Angry Baby and the Letter From Corbyn. Free ruinous 30-year contract with every download!
17. Books and bans
April 2016. Francis Wheen and Adam Macqueen give the latest on the least-effective celebrity injunction of all time, PLUS Jane Mackenzie on 21st-century libraries. Free three-letter judicial acronym with every download!
16. Panamania
April 2016. Richard Brooks and Solomon Hughes give the Private Eye take on the Panama Papers and offshore tax havens, PLUS Nick Newman on the art of Dave Snooty And His Pals. Free Definitely Legal And Perfectly Above Board British Virgin Island Company with every download!
15. The Eye Online
April 2016. SERIES THREE BEGINS! This week, the Eye Online: Ian Hislop and Adam Macqueen discuss the Eye's digital strategy (spoiler alert: there isn't one) and the ways newspapers are surviving the digital age. Plus an interview with Ed Barrett, author of From The Message Boards. Free Independent website with every download!
14. Care and Criticism
December 2015. A special feature on the two kinds of care - health and social - and the yawning gap between them, with the Eye's medical correspondent MD and In The Back's Heather Mills. PLUS, an exclusive (and very gossipy) chat with the man behind the literary pages, DJ Taylor. Free biting critique with every download!
13. The Architect and the Lawyer
November 2015. Exciting interviews about collapsing buildings with architecture correspondent Piloti (AKA Gavin Stamp) and collapsing lawsuits with the Eye's in-house lawyer. Free editor (barring contempt of court) with every download!
12. Freedom of Information
November 2015. Freedom Of Information SPECIAL EPISODE, interviewing the Eye's crack investigative squad. Free-Dom of Information with every download!
11. Back To The 80s
November 2015. Adam Macqueen and Francis Wheen (aka 'Private Eye's Google') on the stories which have been bubbling away for 30 years, and David Ziggy Greene on the art of drawing the news as it happens. Free flexidisc (ask your parents) with every download!
10. Big Business and Tax Havens
October 2015. SERIES TWO BEGINS! This week, an investigative double bill: Solomon Hughes on big business at party conferences, and Richard Brooks and Christian Eriksson on the Eye's all-new map of British property owned from tax havens. Free Cayman Island with every download!
9. Honours and Letters
July 2015. For episode 9.4, a triple letter score: Letters after one's name (Solomon Hughes on the honours system), Letters From Berlin (Anthony Goldman, Private Eye's global bureau chief) and Letters From The Great British Public (Tristan Davies, Chief Subeditor). Final episode of Series 1 - free hanky with every download!
8. Michael Heath and Tax Havens
June 2015. An interview with Michael Heath, who's been drawing funny things for sixty years and a surprising look at exactly who owns all the land in Britain. Free Tax Haven getaway with every download!
7. Cartooning and Phone Hacking
June 2015. A look at the magic of the cartooning process, plus Adam Macqueen with an indispensable guide to phone hacking at the Mirror. Free Alan Yentob voicemail with every download!
6. Magazine Covers and Rotten Boroughs
May 2015. Ian Hislop on the fine art of the magazine's covers and Tim Minogue on the murky world of Rotten Boroughs. Free 'I am outraged, please cancel my subscription' form with every download!
5. An election TRIPLE BILL
May 2015. Ian Hislop on Prime Ministerial Parodies, Adam Macqueen on locking up journalists, and Phil Hammond on the Conservative and Labour pledges about the NHS.Free Sun reporter with every download!
4. Craig Brown and Heather Mills
April 2015. Craig Brown on the art of parody and investigative hack Heather Mills on murky goings-on in the village of Botton. Free manifesto pledge with every download! (Warning: manifesto pledge is an aspiration only and not a promise. Price of podcast may be raised to £9000).
3. Higher Education and Piers Morgan
April 2015. Dealing with two enormous, intractable, but very different problems: higher education and Piers Morgan. Free extended metaphor with every download.
2. Wheen, Hislop and Newman
March 2015. Francis Wheen on everything you ever wanted to know about HSBC and the Telegraph, plus an interview with Ian Hislop and Nick Newman about the Eye's own Gnome Mart. Free ant with every download! (Please note: ant may be lost in transit)
1. Martin Honeysett and Paul Foot Awards
March 2015. A new half-hour audio treat which goes behind the scenes at the Paul Foot Journalism Awards and remembers cartoonist Martin Honeysett. Featuring: FIFA, football, floods, flogging arms and flinging cakes in cartoonists' faces...
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