Episode
The problem with Keir’s Mandelson defence
- Podcast
- Politics At Sam and Anne's
- Published
- Apr 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1348
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://politics-at-sam-and-anne.captivate.fm
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Summary
The Prime Minister faces another defining day as he confronts MPs over one question - when did he and No10 learn that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting? Keir Starmer has blamed top foreign office diplomat - Sir Olly Robbins - for not telling him, but allies of the mandarin are fighting back ahead of his expected appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow. Sam and Anne unpack the competing claims, the ongoing fallout and whether this has become a defining crisis for the PM - just a fortnight before the local and national elections. And, away from the fighting in Westminster, are Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner already planning for a future without Keir Starmer? Plus, is a Kemi Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle on the cards?