This time, a new twist Boris Johnson and the Lebedevs…a long running story which has featured extensively in the Byline Times and here on the podcast…Alexanxder Lebdev is a former senior KGB spy and businessman; Evgeny his son owns the Evening Standard and is an investor in The Independent…Boris Johnson is friends with both men, and as Foreign Secretary attended their 'X Rated parties' in Italy without his security officers who were left at home.Documentary maker Mark Alden and Tortoise journalist Paul Caruana Galizia now say they have independently verified long standing claims that Evgeny was given a place in the House of Lords against MI5 advice to Johnson after he became Prime Minister.

Adrian Goldberg examines the implications of the saga for British democracy and press freedom with Byline Times executive editor Peter Jukes and political editor Adam Bienkov.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg.Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.