In this episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC engage in a thought-provoking discussion with their guest, Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation and state threats. Together, they examine the implications of Elon Musk's influence on UK politics, the challenges posed by foreign interference, and the far-reaching impact of the National Security Act.

The conversation explores emerging power dynamics between tech companies and nation states, raising critical questions about potential security threats posed by companies like X, Meta and TikTok.

In the light of recent noises from the Trump team, they also address the thorny question of the repatriation of British Islamic State prisoners to the UK. Should Shamima Begum and others be brought home to be dealt with here, as the Americans demand?

Finally, Ken and Tim consider whether Liz Truss’s recent threat to sue Keir Starmer for defamation is the weirdest legal action of all time.

In the latest episode of Double Jeopardy, hosts Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC discuss the implications of the recent Chinese spy case involving Yang Tengbo and Prince Andrew.

Looking at the role of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, they consider the sensitive role of national security in immigration law, Britain's evolving view of business relationships with China, and MI5's safety first approach to foreign influence.

Sticking with national security, they discuss the trial of the GCHQ analyst Katherine Gun, who was accused of leaking a classified document to the press. Ken explains what led him to drop the case against her, and the role of the security services in that decision.

Finally, they look at Elon Musk's increasingly bizarre interventions into UK domestic politics, and consider Keir Starmer's response.

It’s been quite a year for law and politics in the UK. From the unravelling scandal of wrongful convictions in the Post Office Horizon cases, to the chilling aftermath of the Lucy Letby trial, questions about accountability and reform have never been more pressing, as growing scrutiny, and ever more polarised politics, continue to threaten the delicate balance between legal principles and public confidence.

And through it all, Double Jeopardy has been bringing expert comment and the sharpest analysis wherever law and politics collide.

In this final episode of the year, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen are joined by renowned legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg to look back on 2024. What were its defining legal and political moments ? Where is police accountability after the Chris Kaba shooting? Have we heard the last of Lucy Letby, and why is the government not doing more to rescue a crumbling justice system? Together, they examine the structural and cultural challenges facing the courts and legal institutions, exploring how these events are shaping public trust- and perhaps damaging it to the point of no repair.

This is not just a retrospective; it’s a critical interrogation of justice today. With sharp insights and deep analysis, this episode unpacks the interplay of law, politics, and public sentiment in shaping the UK's legal landscape.