Newscast: The Peter Mandelson Interview (January 11, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this special edition of Newscast, Laura Kuenssberg sits down for an in-depth, candid conversation with Lord Peter Mandelson. The discussion covers Mandelson's role as the former UK ambassador to Washington, his insider perspective on Donald Trump's foreign policy, the UK's evolving defence priorities, and Mandelson's controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein—which ultimately led to his sacking. The tone is probing yet conversational, with Mandelson offering both personal reflection and geopolitical analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Foreign Policy and the 2026 World Order

• Mandelson’s Perspective on Trump’s Methods:

  • Mandelson stresses that Trump operates in a "world full of conflicts, of hard power, of growing rivalry, and particularly between the United States and China." He suggests Trump's blunt approach is both a strategy of deterrence and a matter of style.
  • "From [Trump’s] point of view, you need to understand that he feels that we live in a world that's full of conflicts..." (01:56)

• Venezuela and Greenland Incidents:

  • Kuenssberg presses Mandelson on Trump's direct action in Venezuela and aggressive stances towards Greenland—a NATO ally. Mandelson downplays the likelihood of military action in Greenland, calling Trump "an extraordinary risk taker" but not reckless.
  • "He's not going to land on Greenland, take Greenland by force...he knows fully well...that would be completely counterproductive and would spell real danger for America's national interest." (05:22)

• NATO and European Security Guarantees:

  • Trump has made it clear that US security guarantees for Europe are conditional on NATO allies increasing their own defence spending. Mandelson echoes this sentiment, urging Europe to step up.
  • "What he's saying is that the piggybacking has got to stop...Britain...and the rest of Europe...have all got to step up." (07:09)
  • He voices skepticism over UK government plans to meet those new obligations, citing competing fiscal pressures.
  • "I haven't seen the financial plans, not for the future, not in the way that they need to build up..." (08:19)

• American Leverage and Tactics:

  • On Trump's pattern of escalating language, Mandelson notes:
    "A lot of it is...he's exercising American leverage, okay? He's getting people to focus..." (10:22)
  • He warns against misinterpreting Trump’s threats as inevitable action but concedes the unpredictability of US responses.

2. Iran, Protesters, and Prospects for Intervention

• Trump’s Threats Against Iran:
  • Trump recently warned he’d "shoot back" if the Iranian regime killed protesters. Mandelson is uncertain of specifics, but underscores the West’s responsibility to support democratic change in Iran, advocating for careful, collaborative strategy with allies.
  • "I can't tell you exactly what form that support will take, but...we cannot stand idly by and simply allow events to take their course..." (11:44)

3. UK Politics—Criticism and Reflection

• Within the Labour Party and the Anti-Trump Sentiment:

  • Mandelson is frank about the divisiveness of aligning with Trump, especially for Labour:
    "I know there are many people...who prefer pearl clutching and moral indignation...over grasping a reality and doing something about it." (13:40)
  • He says the UK must be more relevant and useful to the US to be taken seriously.

• Lessons from Iraq & Political Toxicity of Military Intervention:

  • Reflecting on the Iraq War legacy, Mandelson insists both US and UK have learned the dangers of 'forever wars'.
  • "These were not two entirely successful, forever wars...they are very mindful of those lessons..." (14:59)

• On Changing the Rules-Based Order for one US President:

  • Mandelson implores the UK not to let dislike for Trump cloud judgment:
    "This sort of allergic reaction to Trump personally mustn't be allowed to get in the way of Britain's objective national interest." (15:55)

• Trump’s Position on Ukraine:

  • Asserts that Trump supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and is energetically engaged in the issue.
    "He is definitely on the side of maintaining and protecting the sovereignty, freedom and democracy of Ukraine." (16:52)

4. Personal Reflections on Trump

• Kuenssberg asks directly if Mandelson likes Trump:
  • "Did I like him? Yes. I liked his humour, his graciousness...I liked his directness. You knew exactly what he was thinking and where you stood..." (17:43)
  • Mandelson justifies Trump's risk-taking as necessary in a dangerous world:
    "I attach a lot of importance to somebody's preparedness to take risks, and he does, for good reasons, in pursuit of good objectives." (17:54)

5. The Epstein Controversy and Mandelson’s Downfall

• Regret and Explanation:

  • Mandelson admits grave error in maintaining ties with Epstein after his sex crime conviction:
    "It was a most terrible mistake on my part. I believed the story he told...I wish I hadn't." (20:09)
  • Emphasizes the plight of Epstein’s victims and his own lack of knowledge about Epstein’s crimes: "Do you really think...if I knew what was going on...I'd have just sat back, ignored it and moved on?" (21:48)

• On Whether He Was Shielded by Being Gay:

  • Suggests he was kept out of Epstein’s sexual activities because of his sexuality.
    "Because I was a gay man in his circle, I was kept separate from what he was doing..." (23:59)

• Apologies and Accountability:

  • Mandelson apologizes to victims for "a system that refused to hear their voices", but stops short of apologizing simply for his association after conviction:
    "If I had known, if I was in any way complicit or culpable, of course I would apologize." (26:16)

• Circumstances of His Sacking:

  • On accusations of being “economical with the truth”:
    "Whoever said that to you was obviously not amongst the Officials in number 10 Downing Street...I was unable to share emails with them that I didn't recall and I didn't possess." (28:01)
  • Accepts his sacking, says he understands it but won’t reopen the issue: "I'm not going to seek to reopen or relitigate this issue. I'm moving on. I realize I won't be going back into public office." (29:10)

6. What’s Next for Mandelson and the Labour Party

• He remains uncertain about his next steps:
  • "Who knows what's next?...I'm absolutely determined to be transparent...I have been and I will continue to be." (29:12)
• On Labour’s current travails and leadership:
  • "I do think they have the policies and the determination to navigate there...But let us not underestimate how difficult the coming years are going to be." (30:29)

Memorable Quotes

• On Trump’s Strategic Communication:
  "A lot of it is...he's exercising American leverage, okay? He's getting people to focus..." — Peter Mandelson (10:22)

• On Personal Regret: "It was a most terrible mistake on my part. I believed the story he told...I gave my support to somebody because I believed what he was telling me and it was misplaced loyalty." — Peter Mandelson (20:09)

• On Lessons from History: "These were not two entirely successful, forever wars...they are very mindful of those lessons..." — Peter Mandelson (14:59)

• On Apologizing to Victims: "I want to apologize to those women for a system that refused to hear their voices and did not give them the protection they were entitled to expect." — Peter Mandelson (25:57)

• On His Own Political Future: "I'm not going to go and just sort of disappear and hide. That's not me. I will find something useful to do..." — Peter Mandelson (29:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump's worldview and US foreign policy: 01:56–07:50
• Europe’s need to step up on defence: 07:09–09:15
• US leverage, Venezuela, and Greenland: 10:00–11:25
• Iran, intervention, and Western responsibility: 11:25–13:17
• Labour, anti-Trump sentiment, and alliances: 13:17–15:55
• Lessons from Iraq and changing the world order: 14:46–15:55
• Ukraine, leadership, and supporting allies: 16:48–17:40
• Mandelson on Trump's character: 17:43–19:44
• Epstein controversy—accountability and regret: 19:44–26:31
• Sacking, transparency, and moving on: 26:51–29:43
• Advice (or lack thereof) for Labour and what’s next: 29:43–31:06

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is an unflinching exploration of high-level diplomacy, a reflection on political wrongdoing, and a personal reckoning. Peter Mandelson provides rare insight into how global leaders are dealing with an unpredictable world, especially in handling an assertive US under Trump. Despite a measured defence of Trump’s methods, Mandelson does not shy away from expressing regret about his own actions, particularly his long-standing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Throughout, Laura Kuenssberg’s probing questions elicit honest, sometimes uncomfortable responses from Mandelson, making this a compelling listen for anyone interested in UK politics, international relations, and political accountability.