logo
episode-header-image
Today
36m 25s

Mandelson Failed Security Vetting: What ...

BBC News
About this episode

Laura and Paddy are back! Today, they’re discussing the key questions facing Sir Keir Starmer over the latest revelations about Lord Mandelson

Sir Olly Robbins, the former chief Foreign Office official, was ousted by Starmer on Thursday after it was revealed that Mandelson had failed the foreign office vetting programme. The key questions are still to be answered formally over who knew what, and when.

The PM is set to appear in the Commons on Monday, and Olly Robbins is expected to be grilled by MPs on Tuesday. But how exactly did we get here? What are the key questions Starmer and Robbins need to answer? And could this be the final nail in the coffin for Keir Starmer’s premiership?

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Rufus Gray with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Up next
Apr 9
The Defence Secretary Interview: The Covert Russian Submarine Operation
Today, the defence secretary has revealed the British military has responded to a month-long Russian submarine operation over cables and pipelines north of UK.John Healey says he deployed a warship and aircraft in response, and the Russian vessels were "monitored 24/7". He says t ... Show More
28m 57s
Apr 8
US-Iran Ceasefire Agreed (For Now)
Today, we discuss the ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran. The deal was agreed last night just hours after President Trump had threatened Iran’s ‘civilisation will die.’ But Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, with the US saying it’s not included in the ceasef ... Show More
30m 46s
Yesterday
Mandelson Failed Security Vetting: The Prime Minister Speaks Out
Today, Keir Starmer says it's "staggering" he was not told Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador.Speaking from a summit in France, the prime minister says he's "absolutely furious" and will update MPs in Parliament on Monday. Opposition l ... Show More
47m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
The king’s speech: can Labour keep the optimism going?
There were more than 35 bills in Labour’s first king’s speech. So what does it tell us about the party’s ambitions? And with world events turning darker, can the euphoria around the Labour party last? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and polit ... Show More
30m 4s
Sep 2019
Jess Phillips on feminism, online abuse and knifing Jeremy Corbyn
Jess Phillips was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Lucy Powell, then Shadow Education Secretary, in September 2015 and In September 2016, she was elected chair of the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party (WPLP). Iain and Jess discuss the politics, her aspirations ... Show More
58m 31s
May 2024
UK general election called – Politics Weekly UK
Rishi Sunak has announced a general election for Thursday 4 July. The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and political correspondent Kiran Stacey to ask why now. And, what happens next …. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/po ... Show More
36m 26s
Apr 2024
Sicknote culture wars and Angela Rayner – Politics Weekly UK
Rishi Sunak has said it is his ‘moral mission’ to end Britain’s sicknote culture. The Guardian’s John Harris speaks to the disability campaigner Hannah Deakin and the New Economics Foundation’s head of social policy, Tom Pollard, about why the current system is failing people. Pl ... Show More
37m 9s
Oct 2025
Postcard from Liverpool: is Starmerism over already?
Host Sascha O'Sullivan goes behind-the-scenes of Labour Party conference in Liverpool, talking to senior politicians and advisors as she tries to hunt for Keir Starmer's ideology – once dubbed "Starmerism". She tracks down Andy Burnham as the threat of a leadership challenge from ... Show More
38m 48s
Sep 2024
How to choose a Tory leader
This year’s Conservative Party conference will be a beauty pageant for would-be leaders, with each one setting out their stall as to why they’re the right person to head up the party. So this week Westminster Insider host Sascha O’Sullivan dives into what it’s really like to be a ... Show More
50m 46s