In this latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by Sarah Vine, a KC at Doughty Street Chambers, to discuss the sensitive and difficult issue of the way in which trials of rape and other serious sexual offences are conducted. The trio discuss the complexities surrounding trials of sexual offences, particularly focusi…

In this latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by Dan Neidle, Founder of Tax Policy Associates, to explore the finances of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the far-right street agitator and self-styled journalist who calls himself Tommy Robinson. The trio explore how Yaxley-Lennon has monetised his presence on the internet t…

Hidden under the cloak of online anonymity, individuals in the UK have been charged and convicted of inciting and encouraging criminal behaviour without actively getting involved themselves. Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen analyse the debate triggered in the wake of the August 2024 riots across the UK; should we and how do we regulate the internet more …

The case of Lucy Letby is one of the most controversial cases in British legal history. As is well known, the neonatal nurse is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of eight others. Her application for leave to appeal her convictions returned at her first trial was firmly rejected by the…

The case of Lucy Letby generated shock, revulsion and bewilderment, casting a long shadow over the trust that we place in those who care for the most vulnerable. In the latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken and Tim discuss one of the most controversial cases in British legal history—the conviction of Lucy Letby, the neonatal nurse sentenced to 15 …

“UK riots shops boarded up as England braces for rioting. Thousands of officers on standby as police plan for up to 100 disturbances and 30 counter protests’ In this episode of Double Jeopardy Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen sit down to discuss the planned riots in response to the tragic Southport incident looking at how Keir Starmer is responding, the …

After spending the best part of 15 years in party politics, Sarah Lunnon now believes that responding to the climate emergency needs a new democracy, a revolution rather than reform. In this episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by Sarah Lunnon, former Green Party Councillor and Co-founder of Just Stop Oil, to discuss th…

The justice system in the UK has faced many challenges over the past 14 years, most notably funding cuts and a lack of resources. In this episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by Fiona Rutherford the Chief Executive of JUSTICE to discuss the state of the justice system in the UK. They reflect on the past 14 years, discus…

Mark Fairhurst, the National Chairman of the Prison Officers Association, returns to Double Jeopardy to further discuss the prison crisis, now a focal point in the first week of the new Labour government. Guided by hosts Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen, the conversation addresses the emergency measures announced by the new Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmo…

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by David Gauke, Former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. In 2019 he resigned, saying he could no longer serve under Boris Johnson and risk a no-deal Brexit. After expulsion from the Conservative party, he said ‘at last I have something in common with Domonic Cummings.’ It was a poignant remark…

In this episode, of Double Jeopardy hosts Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the various aspects of Labour Party's manifesto which was launched on the 13th June 2024 ahead of the Election which is taking place on the 4th July 2024. This episode looks at the intricacies and implications of the proposed law and order policies. The manifesto, which is…

In this episode of Double Jeopardy Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen talk to Mark Fairhurst, National Chairman of the Prison Officers Association, about the long standing and apparently never ending crisis afflicting the UK prison system. This episode presents an in-depth discussion on the overcrowding epidemic and its root causes including the tabloid dr…

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen welcome back Angus McCullough KC, who has extensive experience in public and private law and who was the most experienced Special Advocate until his decision to step down in October 2023 in protest at the Government's failure to implement urgent changes to the system of secret justice (as recommended in December 2022 by t…

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen speak to Jessica Simor KC, an acclaimed specialist in public and regulatory law, EU law, competition law and human rights law. The episode discusses the issue of whether litigation, whether before the European Court of Human Rights or domestic courts can be effective in addressing the challenge presented by climate change…

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen react to the passage of the ‘Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024' with Jonathan Jones KC, former Head of the Government Legal Department and Senior Consultant in Public and Constitutional Law at Linklaters.

In his first broadcast interview, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss fraud, whistleblowers and disclosure with new Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss Boris Johnson and the degradation of the British State with author of ‘Downward Spiral’, John Bowers KC.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the need for a Royal Commission into Criminal Justice with Editor of the Criminal Law Review, Dr Hannah Quirk

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss cancellation and the politics of gender with criminologist Professor Jo Phoenix.

Ken and Tim discuss growing calls for more openness in the family court system with Chair of the Transparency Project, Lucy Reed KC.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen talk to victorious leading counsel for the post masters and mistresses, Patrick Green KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the Safety of Rwanda Bill and a parliament in wonderland with former Head of the Government Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones KC.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss access to law and legal aid deserts with past President of the Law Society, I. Stephanie Boyce

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss demonstrations, terror and the spectre of hate with Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall KC.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss political reform and the disaster of Britain’s prisons with Convenor of the Commission on Political Power, Frances Crook

In a special episode, we discuss the Supreme Court’s Rwanda ruling and the government’s response with legal commentator, Adam Wagner.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss sentencing, prisons and lefty lawyers with Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk KC

In a special edition, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss secret trials and promises to Parliament with leading Special Advocate, Angus McCullough KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences with leading fraud Barrister, Ian Winter KC.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the threat and promise of Artificial Intelligence with world-leading Computer Scientist, Professor Stuart Russell

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss Andrew Malkinson and miscarriages of justice with former Solicitor General Lord Edward Garnier KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the UK’s prickly relationship to the European Court of Human Rights with former President of the Court, Robert Spano

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the constitutional crisis in Israel with Times columnist and public commentator Melanie Phillips

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss newspaper ethics, private lives and the outing of Huw Edwards with leading media barrister Gavin Millar KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen debate ethics, the cab rank rule and regulating ex-Judges with Professor of Law and Professional Ethics Richard Moorhead

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss lawyers undermining the rule of law, the fall of Nadhim Zahawi, and the morality of paying tax with founder of Tax Policy Associates, Dan Neidle.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss bankers, cover ups and a quest for justice with BBC Economics Correspondent, Andy Verity.

Ken and Tim discuss intolerance, Stonewall and free speech in universities with employment lawyer and author of the Reindorf Report, Akua Reindorf KC

Ken and Tim discuss free will, assisted dying and parliamentary paralysis with Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, Sarah Wootton

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss judges, power and parliamentary sovereignty with head of Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project, Professor Richard Ekins KC (Hon)

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss spies committing crimes and how to get rid of the death penalty with Director of Reprieve, Maya Foa

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the Online Safety Bill and its threat to free speech on the internet with Chief Legal Counsel to the Free Speech Union, Dr Bryn Harris

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss Louise Casey’s incendiary report on the Metropolitan Police with crime and policing expert Harvey Redgrave

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the decline of legal reporting, populism and small boats with leading legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the Scottish Gender Bill and its potential impact on women’s rights with leading equality and discrimination barrister Karon Monaghan KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss the refugee crisis and its legal and political implications with leading immigration and asylum lawyer and former High Court judge, Sir Nicholas Blake.

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss media assaults on lawyers, improving diversity at the Bar, and why lawyers shouldn’t be State investigators with new Bar Chair, Nick Vineall KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss lawmaking, Myra Hindley, Arsenal FC and the weakening of parliamentary scrutiny with celebrated barrister Lord David Pannick KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss Dominic Raab and his Bill of Rights, reforming the office of Lord Chancellor, and why barristers were right to go on strike with former Secretary of State for Justice, Sir Robert Buckland KC

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss Rishi Sunak’s post-festive legal headaches with Sir Jonathan Jones KC, former head of the Government Legal Department