# Did Starmer Know? Mandelson Vetting Scandal & The Power of the Civil Service

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-liz-truss-show-7617256/did-starmer-know-mandelson-vetting-scandal-the-power-of-the-civil-service
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-liz-truss-show-7617256/did-starmer-know-mandelson-vetting-scandal-the-power-of-the-civil-service.md
Podcast: [The Liz Truss Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-liz-truss-show-7617256)
Published: 2026-04-24T17:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/0bcdf538-634e-4a31-8177-9309bd7acfda.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/0bcdf538-634e-4a31-8177-9309bd7acfda.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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Duration seconds: 2224

## Resource

On this episode of The Liz Truss Show, Liz Truss is joined by former government adviser Radomir Tylecote to unpack the growing controversy surrounding Keir Starmer, Peter Mandelson, and the explosive claims emerging from Olly Robbins’ appearance before a parliamentary select committee. The discussion explores: Whether Starmer was fully informed about Mandelson’s security vetting Claims of “constant pressure” inside government decision-making The expanding power of the UK civil service — often referred to as “the blob” How legislation like the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 reshaped accountability Why ministers may lack control over key decisions affecting national security From Whitehall processes to democratic accountability, this episode asks a bigger question: who really runs Britain? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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## Transcript

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