Today - 23/11/2009

Presented by James Naughtie and Justin Webb. The Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg says it is 'morally reprehensible' to have troops risking their lives in Afghanistan in the absence of a proper strategy. He says that withdrawal would have disastrous consequences but that the strategy had not been explained, nor the case made. Brigadier James Cowan, who took up command last month in southern Afghanistan, discusses the British military strategy. New admissions polices to ensure a balanced intake of pupils, an overhaul of league tables and a new approach to career development are recommendations of a new report from Teach First. Elizabeth Thonemann, who edited the report, discusses how teachers' perspectives should be fed into policymaking decisions. When the Sultan of the Gulf state of Oman was overthrown by his son in July 1970, the coup was painted as a family affair. But secret documents obtained by the BBC prove that the British government helped plan the revolt, partly to safeguard its interests there. The papers, which were released by mistake and have now been closed again to the public, are the subject of Radio 4's Document programme. Mike Thomson reports on how the documents show that ministers ordered British officers seconded to the Sultan's army to help oust him by force if the coup appeared to be failing. The Spanish opposition are calling for a tougher stance against Gibraltar after Giles Paxman, who has been the British ambassador to Spain for just a month, was forced to apologise after Royal Navy officers were said to have opened fire on the Spanish flag. Spanish political analyst Miguel Murado discusses what happened in the waters off Gibraltar last week. A row has broken out over illegally-obtained emails from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (UEA). The emails, written by some of the most respected scientists in the field, were hacked and leaked, and have been seized upon by climate change sceptics who say they suggest that there is manipulation of data by climate change scientists. UEA Professor Robert Watson discusses the incident. The Supreme Cat Show has seen growing concerns about breeding, with accusations that in-breeding of pedigree cats has seen an increase in deformities. Isabella Bangs, who bred the winning Persian, and senior vet Elaine Pendlebury discuss the effects of breeding practices for cat shows. Thought for the Day with John Bell of the Iona community. Three days after the deluge hit the Lake District, the extent of the damage is becoming clearer. Sixteen bridges in Cumbria are closed or have collapsed. Correspondent Nicola Stanbridge reports on the damage from Cockermouth and Jill Stannard, chief executive of Cumbria council, discusses the impact on local communities. There are fears of an upsurge in violence in Northern Ireland after an attempt to blow up the headquarters of the policing board in Belfast. Police say dissident republicans left a car bomb outside the building; it is thought that only the detonator exploded. Five men have now been arrested, after an exchange of gunfire with police in Fermanagh last night. Sinn Fein member Gerry Kelly discusses his reaction to the violence. Do 'cyber mums' hold the key to the next election? Gordon Brown and David Cameron have subjected themselves to web chats on parenting websites and eye-catching family policies are expected in the next six months. Chief executive of the children's charity 4 Children, Anne Longfield, and author of the report What Women Want, Cristina Odone, discuss the politics of modern family life. Floods are on the increase in both severity and frequency. In the light of the terrible events in Cumbria and elsewhere in the last few days, what decisions should be made about how to protect the country? Phil Rothwell, Head of Flood Strategy at the Environment Agency, discusses the choices that need to be made if flooding is to become more frequent. Political editor Nick Robinson analyses Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's comments that the next general election might result in a hung parliament. The man in charge of the inquiry examining events surrounding the Iraq war has said his committee will not produce a report that is a 'whitewash'. Sir John Chilcot, a retired career civil servant, has promised to produce a 'full and insightful' account. Sir John tells correspondent Nicholas Witchell about his determination to get the truth. An inquiry continues into the death of Baha Mousa, an Iraqi citizen who died in British custody in Basra in 2003. Correspondent Caroline Hawley has been listening to the latest evidence. An account of life at Stalug Luft III, the prisoner of war camp from which The Great Escape took place, have emerged thanks to diaries written by an RAF officer held there. Flt Lt Ted Nestor was a navigator who was held in the camp for 18 months after being shot down in 1943. His journal includes stories of camp life, cartoons and even a coded ref