The Poppy Day Bomb | Times Investigates

The Times

The Poppy Day Bomb is season 12 of Times Investigates - bringing you award-winning investigative and true crime podcasts from The Times and The Sunday TimesFrom war zones to suburban homes, pursuing brutal criminals and cult leaders, our podcasts go further than any other to uncover the truthIn season 1, war correspondent Anthony Loyd investigates the life - and fate - of his colleague John Cantlie, who was kidnapped in Syria by Islamic StateIn season 2, crime correspondent John Simpson breaks down the wall of silence surrounding the killing of 14-year-old Corey Junior DavisIn season 3 Berlin correspondent Oliver Moody uncovers the story of Hans Globke, the Nazi bureaucrat who laid the legal basis for the Holocaust - and helped build the modern German stateIn season 4, columnist David Aaronovitch follows the trail of charm and deception left by businessman Lex Greensill through the corridors of power in BritainIn season 5, special correspondent Emily Dugan asks whether the wrong man was sent to prison for a brutal attack on a mother of twoIn season six, Middle East correspondent Louise Callaghan steps into the weird world of ‘kittens’, ‘lions’, and televangelism surrounding a cult leader In season seven, journalists Brenna Daldorph and David Aaronovitch explore the dark past behind some of Britain’s wealthiest stately homesIn season eight, feature writer Andrew Billen exposes a very British scandal at the world-famous Christ Church college, OxfordIn season nine, David Aaranovitch steps into the online world of Patriotic Alternative, a far-right group using the Covid pandemic as a recruiting toolIn season 10, journalists Peter Gillman and Emanuele Midolo investigate the death of one of our own, David Holden, the reporter whose killing became a Cold War whodunnitIn season 11, social affairs editor James Beal follows a trail leading from a quiet British town to frozen Canada, where he discovers a man allegedly selling death onlineIn season 12, reporter Mario Ledwith returns to his hometown in Northern Ireland, seeking answers about the bloody 1987 Remembrance Sunday attack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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June 2026 UPDATE - Quinn is sentenced

On Friday 6th June, 2026, 52-year-old Paul Quinn received a 21-year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court. Quinn will be eligible for parole after 14 years. Emily was in court to watch the proceedings.Host: Emily Dugan, special correspondent at The Sunday Times.Further reading: Police who got Andrew Malkinson jailed face criminal investigationContact Emily: [email protected] you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practiceAnyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or report via their website www.gmp.police.uk, quoting Operation Canopy. You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 8

13 min

May 2026 UPDATE: Aiding suicide | Poison Ep. 6

Today on Friday, 29th May, 2026 Kenneth Law has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide in Canada. In this special bonus episode, James chats to a former Ontario police officer about how they brought Law to justice, and catches up with Tom Parfett’s father, David. WARNING: This series contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know has been affected or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123.Host: James Beal, Investigations editor, The Times.Email: [email protected] This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29

30 min

Still not ‘free’ |Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson Story Ep. 11

In the final episode of the series Emily catches up with Andy to reflect on the continued injustice and asks if he can now finally move forward?Host: Emily Dugan, Special correspondent at The Sunday Times.Contact Emily: [email protected] more: The rapist who partied, had children and let Andrew Malkinson rotIf you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practiceAnyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or report via their website www.gmp.police.uk, quoting Operation Canopy. You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 4

32 min

The man the police missed |Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson Story Ep. 10

Following the conviction of Paul Quinn, Emily meets two senior Greater Manchester Police officers to ask how the force put the wrong man in prison, leaving the real rapist to live freely for over 20 years. Host: Emily Dugan, Special correspondent at The Sunday Times.Contact Emily: [email protected] more: The rapist who partied, had children and let Andrew Malkinson rotIf you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practiceAnyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or report via their website www.gmp.police.uk, quoting Operation Canopy. You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27

37 min

The real perpetrator (April 2026 UPDATE) | Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson Story Ep. 9

Justice is done, but decades late - in this special update to the series, we go to Manchester Crown Court as a jury finds 52-year-old Paul Quinn guilty of the rape for which Andy was wrongly convicted.Hosts: Will Roe and Emily Dugan, Sunday Times' Special correspondent.If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practiceThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 17

40 min

The final battle | Last Man Standing Ep 10

Manveen and Anthony travel to a maximum security prison in Iraq to meet a man who could hold the answer to what happened to John Cantlie. But will this ISIS prisoner reveal all? Or will Cantlie’s death remain a mystery?Hosts: Manveen Rana and Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times.Further reading: Anthony Loyd: my hunt for the forgotten Isis hostage John CantlieWatch: Hostage on BBC iPlayer. Clips: BBC.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12

41 min

New leads | Last Man Standing Ep 9

Four years on from the launch of their podcast, Anthony and Manveen are back exploring the the kidnap and disappearance of British photojournalist John Cantlie by ISIS in Syria, after a mysterious listener gets in contact.Hosts: Manveen Rana and Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times.Watch: Hostage on BBC iPlayer. Clips: BBC.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 5

29 min

The Answers? | The Poppy Day Bomb Ep. 6

With his investigation reaching its final stages, Mario is given a name…And could a change in the law mean a breakthrough for the Enniskillen families?Host: Mario Ledwith, news reporter at The Times. Get in touch: [email protected]@thetimes.com This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 3, 2025

39 min

The Politician | The Poppy Day Bomb Ep. 5

Mario speaks with a former IRA volunteer, who tells him something shocking about the bombing.Deep into his investigation, Mario is left asking how high up did the decision to authorise the killing go?Host: Mario Ledwith, news reporter at The Times. Get in touch: [email protected]@thetimes.com This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 30, 2025

35 min

The Dirty War | The Poppy Day Bomb Ep. 4

Mario searches for the ‘man with the limp’, allegedly seen in the Reading Rooms the night before the bombing.He learns the man is also linked to another terror plot. Host: Mario Ledwith, news reporter at The Times. Get in touch: [email protected]@thetimes.com This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 27, 2025

39 min