Today: Monday 22 June 2009

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer transcripts for our programme interviews. Today is broadcast live and the running order is subject to change.

MPs are to elect a new Speaker to replace Michael Martin. However there are accusations that the main parties are trying to influence the outcome. And the remains of two British hostages recovered in Iraq are being studied to discover how and when they died.

0709

Candidates are to be short-listed for the role of the Speaker as accusations are being made that Labour's whips are quietly campaigning for Margaret Beckett. Labour MP Stephen Pound said government whips were "touting Margaret Beckett" and said that they should "stop doing it".

Speaker hopefuls set out stalls

Martin's parting shot on expenses

Speaker hopefuls face more claims

0712

Frank Gardner reports on what the Foreign Office is doing to bring about the release of the remaining British hostages in Iraq.

Maddi's letter to her hostage father

Iraq kidnappers send latest video

Five British hostages: Timeline

0715
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0717

The government is to allocate money for dyslexia training in response to a report out on the condition. The head of research and evaluation at the charity Dyslexia Action, Dr John Rack, tells us his thoughts.

Teacher training to spot dyslexia

MP brands dyslexia a 'fiction'

Q & A: Dyslexia

0720

After nearly two centuries 'The Massacre', written by British playwright and radical Elizabeth Inchbald, is to premier on stage near Inchbald's birthplace in Bury St Edmonds. Nicola Stanbridge reports.

0725
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0730

Debates have arisen in Washington over how hard-hitting President Obama should be as regards the situation in Iran. Karim Sajadpour, an Iran analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, discusses whether he thinks Mr Obama's election has in any way influenced the course of events in Iran.

West 'seeks Iran disintegration'

Reporters' log: Iran's upheaval

Who's who in Iran

0735
Today's papers.

0737

Demolition works and repairs to properties are affecting the swift population, conservationists say. Gemma Rogers, of the RSPB, says swifts now figure on the charity's list of "at risk" birds.

Repairs 'affecting' swift numbers

DIY threatens swift nesting sites

Nest boxes to encourage rare bird

0745

The book 'A Terrible Splendor' outlines the political significance of the showdown in the crucial 1937 Davis Cup semi-final between the American Don Budge and the German Baron Gottfried von Cramm. Author Marshall Jon Fisher looks at how much attention Hitler had been focussing on the match.

0748
Thought for the day with Rabbi Lionel Blue.

Thought For The Day

0750

What can realistically be done to help the remaining British hostages in Iraq? President of the Cordoba Foundation, Anas Altikriti, was involved in the negotiations to free Norman Kember.

Brown defends hostages strategy

Five British hostages: Timeline

Two dead British hostages named

0810

As MPs prepare to vote in a new House of Commons Speaker, the former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett remains bookmakers' favourite to win the post. But at least one Labour MP has accused the government of trying to install her into the prestigious position. Nick Robinson and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman discuss the rumours that government whips are "touting" Ms Beckett.

Ten MPs competing to be Speaker

Q&A: Speaker to be elected

Speaker: Runners and riders

0815

Before the outcry blew up over MPs' allowances, it was remuneration of bankers that was the primary focus for public opprobrium. The Royal Bank of Scotland - 70% owned by the taxpayer - is understood to have agreed a pay package for the chief executive Stephen Hester amounting to as much as £9.6 million. Business editor Robert Peston says this was agreed by the shareholders.

RBS boss set for £9.6m pay deal

RBS boss does 'the right thing'

RBS outlines details of job cuts

0820

The peace time diary of Len Smith, a World War I sniper and sapper, is being published. It's called 'A Caravan Holiday - a Trip Down Memory Lane on Two Wheels'. His great nephew Dave Mason discusses the book with Rowland Rivron, a broadcaster and caravan enthusiast.

D-Day veteran returns to Normandy

0826
Sports news with Garry Richardson.

0830

Iranian authorities have deployed thousands of security officers on the streets of Tehran, after a week of mass protests over a disputed election. Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports from Tehran.

Iran silences street protesters

Living in Iran: Your views

Iran TV says 10 died in protests

0835

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to ask for financial support from Britain when he meets his Gordon Brown in London. However so far other world leaders have been reluctant to give money to a government which includes Robert Mugabe. Our correspondent Mike Thomson asks Mr Tsvangirai what the response has been to his request for funding.

UK announces £5m aid for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe PM jeered by UK exiles

Zimbabwe: Still living in fear

0840
Business news with Adam Shaw.

0842

Phil Hall of PHA Media and Mark Borkowski, author of the 'Fame Formula', consider the challenges faced by Gordon Brown's new director of communications, Simon Lewis.

PM hires Queen's ex-spin doctor

0845

As MPs prepare to vote in a new House of Commons Speaker the former deputy leader of the Labour party, Lord Roy Hattersley, gives his thoughts on the process.

MP 'approached over Speaker role'

Press debate next Commons Speaker

What's on in Parliament today

0850

UNESCO is to decide whether the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in north Wales will become a World Heritage site. Architectural historian and broadcaster Dan Cruickshank gives his view on the proposition.

Aqueduct's World Heritage entry