Hello and

Welcome to the Spike Podcast.

Recording from New York in a slightly noisy we work.

So apologies of that affects the sound quality later.

Joining me on the show today, our spiked editor Brendan O'Neill,

Hello? Hello?

And Spiked Deputy Editor Tom Slater.

Hello, hello.

Coming up today, Notre Dame, Ilan Omar and Roger Scrutin.

I have stood on the banks of screen. is completely engulfed by fire. This is the moment when that spire,

La Flesh, as it's called, crashed to Earth.

Building that has been a symbol of France itself

for 900 years, a building of such beauty and renown, that it truly belongs to the world.

On Monday, Notre Dame Cathedral went up in flames. The cathedral's iconic spires collapsed and the roof was destroyed.

Completed in the 13th century, Notre Dame's foundation stones were laid in 1163.

It survived religious wars, revolutions and even Nazi occupation.

Brendan, why is the destruction of Notre Dame touched such a nerve?

I think it's an incredibly tragic event. I think it's obviously such an important

building as many many people have pointed out not only religiously but

historically in terms of the architectural achievements the length of time it's been there, the sense of

permanence it gives to France and to Europe itself, I would say, and all of the things it contains,

which are religious relics, amazing works of art, the

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