Keir Starmer's Mandelson scandal

It is the scandal that for the prime minister just keeps on getting worse. The revelations about what contact Peter Mandelson had with Jeffrey Epstein, what the government knew, when, and what it did or is now doing about it is the story that is dominating Westminster. 

The emails between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the still-Lord Mandelson have sent shockwaves through government and beyond, with the scandal spiralling this week. The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of Mandelson’s misconduct in public office, and the government has been forced into agreeing to release details of the vetting process undertaken when Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson to the role of ambassador to the US in 2025. 

But while this story centres on one former minister and former ambassador, it raises serious questions: first and foremost about Starmer’s judgement, and the advice he received; about appointing Mandelson as ambassador; about the vetting process; about a former minister apparently so willing, and able, to pass on sensitive government information to a friend with financial interests in it; and about the wider appointments system in the UK, and in particular the ability to eject unfit members from the Lords – from which Peter Mandelson is on a voluntary leave of absence. 

Featuring guest Jim Pickard, deputy political editor at the Financial Times.