<p><strong>The Week Unwrapped:</strong></p><p><br></p><p><em>Files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy in 2001 have been released - </em></p><p>A fresh <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/21/security-vetting-due-diligence-prince-andrew-uk-trade-envoy"><u>batch of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor</u></a> appointment as trade envoy in 2001 has been released by the government. Earlier this year, lawmakers agreed to publish the documents after the disgraced royal was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx28yel4811o"><u>arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.</u></a> The pages reveal that there was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/21/security-vetting-due-diligence-prince-andrew-uk-trade-envoy"><u>no formal due diligence or vetting process </u></a>undertaken prior to his appointment. Ali and Martha unpack whether this new information will be damaging to Buckingham Palace, whether Andrew was qualified enough for the position and the difficulties placing Royals in political positions.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><em>UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise -</em></p><p>This week, the government has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy42x3g7r89o"><u>loosened strict sanctions on Russian oil</u></a> as concerns over supply grow as a result of the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the US-Israel war in Iran, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdep64555wzo"><u>fuel prices have skyrocketed</u></a> which is having a huge knock on effect on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/jet-fuel-supply-summer-flight-easyjet-jet2-update-b2980923.html"><u>British industry.</u></a> The government has expressed the need to be flexible, but in the meantime has signed a G7 statement reaffirming its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy42x3g7r89o"><u>"unwavering commitment"</u></a> to Ukraine. Ali and Martha discuss realpolitik: will the general public care if it’s making prices cheaper or is this an immoral move?&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><em>UK formally assesses bid for England to host Olympics in 2040s -</em></p><p>The UK government is looking into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://news.sky.com/story/uk-formally-assesses-bid-for-england-to-host-olympics-in-2040s-13544954"><u>potential bid to host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in the 2040’s.</u></a> Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to assess whether the competition could return to Britain, this time in the north of the country. Ali and Martha reminisce on the excitement of London 2012, and how the soft-power benefits of hosting another Games.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Campaigns for the Makerfield By-Election begin:&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Up next, Andy Burnham has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/oasis-back-andy-burnham-might-33969259"><u>officially launched his campaign</u></a> for the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/19/the-plumber-who-stands-between-burnham-and-no-10/"><u>Reform UK</u></a> also announced their candidate - local man, Robert Kenyon. Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/may/18/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-wes-streeting-andy-burnham-david-lammy-brexit-eu-latest-news-updates"><u>Starmer remains insistent that he isn’t going anywhere.</u></a> Ali and Martha unpack why this is such a pivotal moment in British politics, what to expect in the coming weeks and what might happen if Labour don’t win.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Putin’s Visit to China:&nbsp;</strong></p><p>This week, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/20/china-russia-xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-meet-beijing-after-trump-visit"><u>Xi Jinping welcomed the Russian president</u></a>, Vladimir Putin, just days after the Chinese leader hosted Donald Trump in the same location. Putin touched down in Beijing on Tuesday, confident that despite the US’s touting of trade deals, t<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clypj01189lo"><u>here is little evidence of significant progress for Washington and Beijing</u></a>. George Magnus, Research associate at China Centre, Oxford University, and SOAS and Author of ‘<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300246636/red-flags/"><em><u>Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy</u></em></a><em>”</em>, joined Ali to unpack&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Guests:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Martha Gill (@Martha_Gill on X and @<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://marthagill.bsky.social">marthagill.bsky.social</a> on BlueSky)</p><p><br></p><p>George Magnus (@georgemagnus1 on X)</p><p><strong>Producer</strong>: Monica Lillis</p>