Today - 21/05/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Evan Davis. MP Bill Wiggin says he has not claimed any public money for a mortgage he does not have. Mark Serwotka of the Public and Commercial Services Union discusses the claim that the current government is 'morally bankrupt' and if union candidates should be put forward in future general elections. Former British ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton discusses if US President Barack Obama is right to be 'concerned' about Iran's missile development. Behavioural economist Dan Ariely explains the result of experiments which test how far normal people are willing to use a system to their advantage while rationalising their actions to themselves. Financial experts Avinash Persaud and Terry Smith discuss whether derivatives caused the financial crisis. Andrew North reports on the successful third attempt of veteran British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Thought for the day with Reverend Roy Jenkins - Baptist Minister in Cardiff. Peter Wehner and human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith discuss the problems with closing Guantanamo Bay. Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman discusses how the MPs' expenses system must change. Political editor Nick Robinson reacts to the latest allegations. New Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and two young poetry readers explain the importance of reading poetry from memory. Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, and Prof Les Ebdon, of Universities UK's Student Experience Policy Committee, discuss if students are becoming more demanding of their institutions. What changes need to be made to the way the House of Commons works? Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, explains what proposals she would recommend. Why aren't there more songs about cricket? Musician Neil Hannon has teamed up with Dublin singer Thomas Walsh to record a whole album of cricket songs, called The Duckworth Lewis Method. Colin Paterson reports. What impact has the expenses row had in Scotland? Correspondent Colin Blane visits the constituency of Chancellor Alistair Darling, Edinburgh South West. What are derivatives and why is the US Senate trying to regulate them further? Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable explains.