Morning Wire: Epstein Fallout Rocks the UK: Is Starmer Finished?

Podcast: Morning Wire
Hosts: John Bickley (Executive Editor, The Daily Wire) & Georgia Howe
Guest: Bev Turner (Host, Late Show Live, GB News)
Date: February 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the seismic aftershocks of the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files in the United Kingdom, examining their impact on the Royal Family, the Labour government, and, most notably, Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Guest Bev Turner provides insider British perspective on the intersections between media, politics, and public trust as scandals threaten to upend established power structures. The hosts ask—will the fallout end Starmer’s premiership and what does it mean for UK politics?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Epstein Scandal & the Royal Family

[02:24 - 04:23]

• King Charles Offers Cooperation:
  • For the first time, King Charles publicly states the Royal Family will support police investigations into Prince Andrew's involvement in the Epstein affair.
  • “This was unprecedented when this week, King Charles said, we will cooperate with the police if necessary. And that's very different.” (Bev Turner, 03:35)
  • Emotional and constitutional complexity arises as King Charles addresses his brother’s alleged crimes.
• Prince Andrew’s Reputation:
  • Persistent links to Epstein, media scrutiny, and stripped titles have left the Royal Family exposed.
  • Illnesses within the Royal Family (King Charles and the Princess of Wales) compound instability.
  • Turner: “The black sheep of the family is so heavily implicated in the Epstein files.” (04:18)

2. Political Fallout: Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the UK Labour Party

[04:23 - 13:47]

• Appointment of Peter Mandelson:
  • Mandelson, with documented Epstein ties, was made UK ambassador to the US, surprising political observers.
    • “It was so obvious that coming down the line was going to be the Epstein files. And one of the few photos we already had was Epstein and Mandelson on holiday in the Caribbean.” (Bev Turner, 05:32)
  • E-mails from 2008 point to Mandelson sharing confidential UK policy with Epstein—potentially criminal.
  • Mandelson steps down and disappears from public view.
• Pressure Mounts on Starmer:
  • Starmer faces internal party revolt—“His Chief of staff...and Chief of Communications had to resign.” (07:12)
  • Scottish Labour Party leader says Starmer’s position is “untenable.”
  • Starmer refuses to resign, attempting to recast defiance as duty:
    • “He stood up in Hertfordshire and said, I will not be leaving this position...I will not desert my people.” (07:39)
  • Turner frames this as the UK’s “accountability deficit” in politics.
• Ambassador Replaced:
  • Civil servant Sir Christian Turner replaces Mandelson, signaling a switch to a less politicized choice.
    • Turner jokes: “As long as you're not friends with someone who's friends with a pedophile, you're going to do better than the last guy.” (08:17)

3. Labour’s Left Wing Identity & Public Dismay

[08:22 - 12:47]

• Public Sentiment:
  • Labour’s 2024 victory stemmed from public fatigue with 14 years of Conservative rule, not genuine hope for Labour.
  • Early policy moves alienate core constituencies:
    • Axing winter fuel allowance for pensioners.
    • Extra tax (VAT) on private school fees, affecting middle class professionals.
    • Raised inheritance tax drag many struggling farmers into high tax brackets, leading to street protests and personal tragedies.
      • “We literally had farmers who took their own lives because…they wanted to leave their farm to their children.” (11:01)
• Immigration & Public Services:
  • Illegal migration at record highs strains public patience and welfare systems.
    • Turner outlines a sense that the government is failing to stem the tide and manage resource allocations.
• Leadership Crisis:
  • Labour has a cumbersome process for leader removal, minimising likelihood of Starmer being ousted by the party.
    • “The Conservative Party have different rules…” (12:52)
    • “The best bet for those who want to see the back of him would be that he resigns. But he won't do that.” (13:19)
  • If forced out, Labour would appoint a new leader internally without a general election unless required by law.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Royal Family & Epstein

• “The Royal family have been very quiet on the Epstein scandal, despite the fact that the King's brother Andrew…is so closely related to the Epstein island events.”
  — Bev Turner, [02:47]

On Mandelson’s Appointment

• “And one of the few photos we already had…was Epstein and Mandelson on holiday in the Caribbean. We know that…, even after Epstein was convicted, they still retained a friendship.”
  — Bev Turner, [05:32]

Prime Minister Starmer’s Stance

• “Today he stood up in Hertfordshire and said, I will not be leaving this position. I believe that I was given a mandate that I have to carry this out. I will not desert my people.”
  — Bev Turner, [07:39]

On Farmers' Plight

• “We literally had farmers who took their own lives because…they wanted to leave their farm to their children, because farmers are often asset rich and cash poor.”
  — Bev Turner, [11:01]

On Political Accountability

• “We live in an age…, in the UK it's a lack of accountability, it's the accountability deficit. Nobody ever seems to lose their jobs anymore.”
  — Bev Turner, [07:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:24] — Introduction of Guest: Bev Turner
• [02:46 - 04:23] — Royal Family & Prince Andrew’s Implications
• [04:23 - 08:22] — Mandelson, Starmer, and Political Crisis
• [08:22 - 12:47] — Labour Party Troubles & Public Sentiment
• [12:47 - 13:47] — Dynamics of Leadership Removal in Labour
• [13:47 - 14:03] — Wrap-up and thanks

Conclusion

Bev Turner paints a portrait of a UK reeling from international scandal and domestic discontent as the Epstein files continue to generate shocks at the highest levels of power. The uniting theme is one of deepening distrust—public, political, and personal—with Starmer clinging to power amid mounting controversy, the Royal Family under scrutiny, and Labour’s electoral hopes on shaky ground. This episode offers both transatlantic perspective and an unfiltered look at British political culture in a moment of acute crisis.