Sunday 18th August 2002

This week Breakfast With Frost was presented by Huw Edwards, who usually anchors the BBC's Six O'Clock News.

As the arguments over whether the US should act to oust Saddam Hussain as President of Iraq continue, we spoke to the United Nations' chief weapons inspector Hans Blix. He has received an invitation from Baghdad to hold technical discussions on the return of inspectors. Mr Blix told us: "If the Iraqis conclude that an invasion by someone is inevitable then they might conclude it's not very meaningful to have inspections."

Joining us from Brighton, was one of the Conservatives' leading libertarian thinkers, Francis Maude MP. His party has been dogged by a week of headlines speculating about factional in-fighting and the future direction of the Tories. Mr Maude conceded that the party would not be able to turn itself around overnight. He said the political world had changed and it was now time for the party to "drag itself up to date and become a truly contemporary party".

Over the past few days, we've seen central Europe being devastated by the worst floods seen for decades. Sir Crispin Tickell, the government's advisor on the environment, told us that global warming required some serious decisions to be taken but added that he was pessimistic whether the forthcoming Earth Summit would make any progress.

We also spoke to comedian Dave Gorman, who is judging the Open Mic competition at this year's Edinburgh Festival. He gave us an insight into how important the Festival is as a launch-pad for new talent.

Also in the studio was the basketball player John Amaechi, who has opened a basketball centre for children in Manchester, funded entirely with his own money.

United Nations' chief weapons inspector Hans Blix

Rt Hon Francis Maude MP

Sir Crispin Tickell, government advisor on the environment

Comedian, Dave Gorman

Basketball player John Amaechi