Newsnight, followed by Weather

The programme opened with the case of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang, who is due for release from prison. The Government had previously indicated it was not minded to change the law to deport him, but after an intervention by Andy Burnham, who is expected to become Prime Minister, the Home Office said it was exploring all possible options. A victim, identified as Ruby, expressed fear for her safety and criticised the lack of support and outdated legislation. Legal expert Joshua Rosenberg explained that deportation is complicated by the 1971 Immigration Act and Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The panel discussed the political implications, with Camilla Tominey questioning whether Burnham is effectively running the country and Tom Hayes emphasising the need to prioritise victims.

The second major story covered President Donald Trump's financial disclosures, which showed his outside earnings increased from at least $622 million in 2024 to at least $2.2 billion in 2025, his first year back in the White House. Critics cited potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding his cryptocurrency ventures and subsequent regulatory relaxation. The programme featured interviews with Democrat Congressman Bill Foster, who accused Trump of unprecedented corruption, and Republican mega donor Hal Lambert, who defended the president, arguing his wealth was pre-existing and his policies were transparent. The panel then discussed the broader implications for US politics and drew comparisons to UK political figures.