
Starmer vs Robbins: Why the Mandelson row keeps getting worse
From Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government by Institute for Government
April 23, 2026 · 42 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the ongoing Mandelson vetting scandal and its implications for Keir Starmer and the relationship between civil servants and ministers.
Seven days in, Westminster is still consumed by the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. The PM has had his say. Olly Robbins - the permanent secretary that Starmer dismissed - has also given his account. So where does this leave Keir Starmer? Foreign Office permanent secretary Peter Ricketts joins the podcast team to work out where a week of blame and counter-blame has left the government - and what it means for an already damaged relationship between civil servants and ministers. Plus: new IfG research on how civil servants should handle policy making in major crises. Hosted by Hannah White. With Alex Thomas, Cath Haddon, and Vimbai Dzimwasha. Produced by Milo Hynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Hannah White
Guest: Peter Ricketts
Topics covered
- Mandelson vetting scandal
- Westminster
- civil servants
- government relations
- policy making
Keywords
- Olly Robbins
- Keir Starmer
- government
- crisis management
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