Have I Got News For You

Anna Maxwell Martin makes her HIGNFY debut as she takes to the host's chair. She's joined by comedian Chris McCausland and presenter Steph McGovern on the panels, alongside regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

With Prince Charles standing in for the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament this week, there was also an announcement from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer that he would resign if fined by police for 'beergate'; Michael Gove gave a bizarre accent-filled interview on BBC Breakfast and the 'Wagatha Christie' libel court case between Rebekah Vardy and Colleen Rooney rumbled on.

Discussion soon moved to the State Opening of Parliament, where Prince Charles filled in for his mother, due to ongoing mobility issues that the Queen has been suffering with.

Ian Hislop: "Prince Charles got his big moment. But it wasn't a big moment, because we had to recognise the Queen is still there, so they had a crown on a chair. After a bit, even I was thinking 'we're watching a hat on a seat'. I quite like flummery, but I just thought this is quite silly. Someone said it's a bit like the tub of lard on this show."

Chris McCausland: "It was a speech in the middle of a cost of living crisis, that didn't mention anything about helping people afford to live, or eat. The speech was given by a man sat on a throne, next to a golden hat that cost more than Chelsea Football Club. On behalf of a government that's run by a man who spent £200k decorating his flat and another bloke who's married to a billionaire."

Hislop: "So what's your point Chris?!"

McCausland: "Did you like the way that they closed all the roads to announce a law to stop people disrupting traffic?"

Also on the agenda for the panels this week was Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that he would resign, if found guilty of breaching lockdown rules and fined by the police, who are currently investigating 'beergate'.

Hislop: "Keir Starmer must be fairly confident that he's not going to be issued with a fine, because he said 'I'll resign'. The Prime Minister, when confronted with the possibility of a fine, said 'I wasn't there. I didn't do it. I have no memory. There'll be an inquiry. We'll get the police to look later.' Look at the two different approaches... I'm just saying."

McCausland: "My problem with the parties wasn't really the parties. It's just that no one ever explains what the party games were. They just say 'there was wine, there was cheese, there were party games'. What do they at Conservative Christmas parties? Apart from 'Avoid Matt Hancock at the mistletoe'."

Steph McGovern: "It's definitely 'pin the tail on the donkey'."

McCausland: "Or 'pass the parcel' but every time it lands on you, you have to add another layer of wrapping... because the truth should never get out."

Later on, Maxwell Martin moved discussion on to the latest updates from Brexit this week.

Maxwell Martin: "What's reared its ugly head? It's Brexit, or a no-deal Brexit, to be precise. It's a complex issue involving Northern Irish politics, world trade and EU diplomacy."

McCausland: "When will it ever end Ian? It's 2022! It's like one of those 80s horror franchises that keeps on coming back, but each time it's more boring. You thought Brexit was boring, well this time... it's Brexit... with fishing quotas!"