LATEST: Can Keir Starmer survive the scandal over Mandelson and Epstein?

LATEST: Can Keir Starmer survive the scandal over Mandelson and Epstein?

From The Story by The Times

April 17, 2026 · 16 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of Keir Starmer's admission regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment amid the Epstein scandal.

The prime minister says he's "furious" over the latest twist in the Epstein scandal, amid revelations the child sex offender’s former friend Peter Mandelson was appointed British ambassador to the US despite failing security vetting. For months, ​​Keir Starmer insisted his ambassador was properly appointed. Today, he admitted this was not the case. So, what went wrong? And what does it mean for the future of Starmer’s government?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests:    Ollie Cole, Times Radio newsroom reporter Leigh Turner, former Ambassador to Austria and Ukraine Host: Carolyn Quinn Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Keir Starmer ‘furious’ over Peter Mandelson vetting failure Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe  here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Guests: Ollie Cole, Leigh Turner

Topics covered

  • Keir Starmer
  • Peter Mandelson
  • Epstein scandal
  • politics
  • government

Keywords

  • scandal
  • security vetting
  • ambassador
  • government future

Sponsors

The Times

Mentioned in this episode

Places: US, Austria, Ukraine

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