
New Mandelson files: how embarrassing are they?
From Politics Weekly UK by The Guardian
June 1, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the release of over 1,000 pages of communications related to Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US and the implications of the missing vetting file.
More than 1,000 pages of emails and WhatsApp messages have been released relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US. The documents show Mandelson’s criticism of Keir Starmer, and his desperation to become the Oxford University chancellor – but the controversial vetting file from when he was appointed ambassador is missing. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey explain what these files show us. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
People in this episode
Hosts: Pippa Crerar, Kiran Stacey
Topics covered
- Mandelson files
- UK politics
- diplomacy
- Keir Starmer
- Oxford University chancellor
Keywords
- Mandelson
- emails
- WhatsApp messages
- UK ambassador
- political criticism
- Oxford chancellor
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