Profile

Why is the former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott such a controversial choice for trade adviser? Appointed by the Government to help negotiate post-Brexit deals for the UK, his supporters say he's a persuasive political operator and already has three free trade agreements under his belt. But others have been staggered by his appointment, saying he has a track record of sexism and homophobia, and will prove an "embarrassment" to the UK. Mark Coles speaks to colleagues, critics and even Abbott's sister to find out what drives the so-called "Mad Monk", and whether he'll make a success of the job. Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Ben Crighton Researchers: Charlotte McDonald & Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Penny Murphy

Those in the know say he's "the ultimate keeper of secrets" - Simon Case was announced this week as the new Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service. Aged just 41 and with a CV that takes him from GCHQ to Kensington Palace, he's now set to take on a role at the heart of government, heading up a workforce of more than 400,000 people. But with Covid an ongoing problem and Brexit on the cards - and without any experience of running a department - has the so-called "Rolls Royce of Sir Humphreys" got what it takes? Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Ben Crighton & Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Penny Murphy

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced last week that Public Health England will be replaced with a new National Institute for Health Protection. Baroness Dido Harding, who ran NHS Test and Trace in England, will be heading up this new agency too, for now. Who is she? And why are some cynical about whether she'll be able to handle the new role?Dido Harding started out on a pig farm in Dorset, and has spent most of her adult life splitting her time between the corporate world and her beloved horses. Married to Conservative MP John Penrose, she's spent the last three years working in the public sector, and recently been a regular feature at Number 10’s daily coronavirus briefings. Mark Coles speaks to her best friend and former boss, amongst others, to find out more. Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Researcher: May Cameron Editor: Kirsty Reid

The no-nonsense scientist whose team is developing a coronavirus vaccine at record speed. Mark Coles discovers the many talents of Oxford University vaccine specialist, Professor Sarah Gilbert.Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Di Richardson

President Trump calls him a quality guy, others call him a dirty trickster. Mark Coles looks at the life of political strategist Roger Stone, who’s advised Republican politicians since the 1970s and proudly wears a tattoo of President Nixon on his back.Stone was convicted of lying to congress and witness tampering in 2019 but his sentence was commuted by President Trump, days before he was due to report to prison.This programme contains clips from Netflix Film Get Me Roger Stone. The writers are Morgan Pehme, Daniel DiMauro and Dylan Bank.Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Di Richardson

As the UK imposes sanctions on 49 people implicated in the deaths of Sergei Magnitsky and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Mark Coles profiles the man whose global anti-corruption campaign has led to the government’s action, financier Bill Browder.Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Diane Richardson

As theatre bosses across the country warn they face devastation amid the coronavirus pandemic, actor Sir Ian McKellen is preparing to tread the boards in an age-blind interpretation of Hamlet. It will be one of the first major new theatre productions to start rehearsals in the UK since auditoriums went dark in March. The renowned theatre and film actor said he was happy to be working again in the role of the young prince he first played nearly 50 years ago. Becky Milligan speaks to close friends and colleagues, including Dame Judi Dench and Armistead Maupin, to find out what still drives him.Producer: Viv Jones

Boris Johnson says she’s a ‘brilliant thinker’ who inspires him. Now he has chosen Munira Mirza, the head of the No 10 policy unit, as the person to establish a new government commission on racial inequalities. Her appointment has proved controversial. Mirza has questioned the existence of institutional racism and criticised previous inquiries for fostering a “culture of grievance”. Her critics say her mind is already made up on the issues the commission will seek to investigate. Last weekend, Black Lives Matter demonstrators in London demanded her resignation. Mirza was raised in Oldham, became a supporter of the Revolutionary Communist Party as a student at Oxford, and eventually went to work for Boris Johnson after he was elected Mayor of London. Mark Coles profiles one of the government’s most influential advisers.

The Manchester United forward is credited with forcing a government U-turn this week, following his open letter calling on the government to end child poverty and extend free school meals for children during the summer holidays.Born in Wythenshawe and raised by a single mum, Marcus Rashford caught the eye of professional clubs at an early age. At first training with both Manchester City and Manchester United, he decided to dedicate himself to the Reds, and rapidly rose through the ranks. He debuted for the senior squad at 17 years of age, scoring twice, and scored again when he was first called up for England. A regular fixture for both United and England, he is now gaining attention for his philanthropic work, which is said to be inspired by the struggles he and his family faced when he was growing up.Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith

Former NASA astronaut Dr Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, has made history again by travelling to the deepest known point on earth. Last Sunday, the 68 year-old space-walker and oceanographer travelled seven miles below the surface of the Pacific ocean to reach the Challenger Deep, the ocean's lowest spot, becoming the first woman to do so. Mark Coles talks to her fellow astronauts as he profiles one of the world’s most intrepid explorers.Producer: Viv Jones Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Penny Murphy