Sky News Daily

The prime minister’s been asked to ‘explain himself’ after the UK’s top prosecutor blamed the collapse of a China spy trial on the government - for not labelling China a risk to national security. 
 
But Sir Keir Starmer blames the previous Tory government. 
 
A parliamentary researcher and his associate were accused of passing on “politically sensitive” information to a member of China’s ruling politburo – so why won’t it go to court?   
 
Niall is joined by political correspondent Mhari Aurora and the former head of MI6 Richard Dearlove.   
 
Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme 
Editor: Mike Bovill 

 
In September, former England rugby captain Lewis Moody received a devastating diagnosis that changed his life forever. 
 
The 47-year-old Rugby World Cup winner is the latest retired professional player to be told he has the fatal muscle-wasting condition motor neurone disease. 
 
What do we know about the possible causes of MND? Is there a link between extreme exercise and developing the disease? And are we any closer to a cure? 
 
Niall is joined by Moody’s World Cup-winning team-mate Will Greenwood and Dr Mike Rogers, director of research and innovation at the MND Association. 
 
Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme 
 
Editor: Mike Bovill   

It's the morning of Monday 6 October 2025 and Russia has launched a missile strike against the UK. That was the scenario of The Wargame - a gripping five-part Sky News podcast that brought together former government ministers, military chiefs, and top defence experts to explore how the UK might respond to a modern-day crisis. 
 
On the real 6 October, we speak to some of the makers of the series to get a sense of whether our leaders are taking the threat of Russia seriously enough. Would the United States come to the UK's aid if bombings began on British soil? And what do we need to do to improve our defence capabilities?  
 
Niall Paterson is joined by The Wargame's co-creators - Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes, and Rob Johnson, head of Oxford University's Changing Character of War Centre - as well as Keir Giles, a leading expert on the Russian military who portrays the Russian president in the simulation. 
 
You can listen to The Wargame here: 
https://open.spotify.com/show/4lHtW6x1D6R0E1QmGLkBK1 
 
Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme 
Editor: Mike Bovill 

Could the historic appointment of a first female Archbishop of Canterbury cause a split within the Anglican Church?

Dame Sarah Mullally has been chosen for the role while the Church is arguably in a state of crisis - but also at a time when there has been a surge in attendance among young people.

She's the first woman to lead the Church of England in its almost 500-year history - the question now is, what impact she will have on its future.

Who is Dame Sarah and why was she chosen? How big a moment is this for the Church? What challenges will the new archbishop face and what qualities will she need to address them?

Niall is joined by Ruth Gledhill, religious affairs commentator and assistant editor of The Tablet.

Producer: Emily Hulme

Editor: Mike Bovill

Communities in Manchester are once again reeling following a terror attack - this time on a synagogue in Crumpsall during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. 

The prime minister has announced extra security for synagogues, but there had been previous warnings of a rise in religious hatred across the UK.   

Niall speaks to Sky's home editor, Jason Farrell, about the attack and the wider state of national security. 

Warning: This episode contains audio of the moment leading up to police shooting the suspected attacker. 

Producer: Emily Hulme 
Editor: Mike Bovill