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The Story

Starmer strikes back over Mandelson vetting scandal

31 min21 april 2026

Yesterday evening Sir Keir Starmer defended himself in Parliament, stating ‘the facts are incredible,’ but ‘nobody’ in Number 10 knew that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting. Addressing MPs, the prime minister rejected the suggestion that the government’s desire to appoint Mandelson overrode security concerns. Immediately after, we caught up with the Times’ political editor to ask, who exactly knew what when? And how does this all end?


Mandelson denies any wrongdoing when it comes to his relationship with Epstein. 


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


Guest: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Host: Rosie Wright

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case

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Read more: Keir Starmer ‘put Mandelson job before security’, say Labour MPs

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

Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, Keir Starmer - X, The Times, BBC

Photo: Getty Images.

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