Newscast Podcast Summary: "Epstein Files: New Mandelson and Andrew Allegations"

Date: February 1, 2026
Hosts: Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason, Henry Zeffman
Guest: Professor John Bew (foreign policy expert & former adviser to several UK Prime Ministers)
Main Theme:
The episode dissects the newest revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files, focusing on emerging allegations against Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten Windsor) and Lord Peter Mandelson, alongside a broad discussion about how these scandals intersect with British politics, the Royal Family, and international affairs. The team also hosts a wide-ranging interview with Professor John Bew on global security, UK foreign policy, and the immense challenges faced by governments in turbulent times.

Episode Overview

• Focus on the Epstein Files: A deep dive into the latest, sprawling cache of documents and allegations emerging from the long-running Jeffrey Epstein saga, with specific attention to new claims involving Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson.
• Political Fallout: Discussion of the impact on the Royal Family, political responses in Westminster, and the wider implications for public trust.
• Global Affairs Insight: Extended conversation with Professor John Bew, expert adviser to multiple Prime Ministers, on Britain’s foreign policy priorities and global security issues, from Iran to China and Ukraine.
• Meta-Theme: The clash between domestic priorities and rising international crises, and the difficulties of governing at a time of both internal and external turmoil.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New Allegations from the Epstein Files

[01:42–10:58]

• Emergence of New Evidence:

  • A second woman has alleged being trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew. Her lawyer claims she spent the night with Andrew and was given a Buckingham Palace tour (Henry Zeffman, [03:39]).

  • Laura Kuenssberg notes Andrew’s consistent denials and lack of comment on this latest claim ([04:54]).

    “At the time that we're recording, which is about 11:30 in the morning now, [Andrew] hasn't responded for requests for comment for that. ...all of this adds clearly to the pressure. ...it actually adds to the kind of deep dark cloud which is hanging over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”
    —Henry Zeffman ([03:39])

• Official and Political Pressure:

  • The Prime Minister has called for Andrew to testify before Congress, with Cabinet ally Steve Reid suggesting anyone with relevant information — including Lord Mandelson — should come forward ([04:54]).
  • Parliamentary calls (e.g., Rachel Maskell MP) push for the Met Police to reopen investigations ([05:20]).

• Lord Mandelson’s Position:

  • Mandelson is alleged in the papers to have received “tens of thousands of dollars” from Epstein while serving as a Labour MP ([06:31]).

  • He disputes aspects of these documents, stating he has never had a US Social Security number, and maintains his only mistake was friendship with Epstein (statements from prior interviews).

  • Photo of Mandelson in underwear has added to media furore.

    “He, of course, has always said he didn't do anything wrong, apart from being friends with Jeffrey Epstein, which he now regrets...but there are new allegations, Henry, aren't they?”
    —Laura Kuenssberg ([06:31])

• Broader Fallout:

  • Many powerful men are named in the files — not all necessarily accused of crimes, but all enmeshed in a growing "cloud of embarrassment" ([08:08]).

    “Just because somebody is mentioned in a document or seen in a photograph, it doesn't mean that they did anything wrong. It clearly means that they are now part of this cloud of embarrassment, if you like.”
    —Laura Kuenssberg ([08:08])

• Continuing Uncertainty:

  • Potential for more damaging revelations to emerge, according to sources cited in Sunday Mirror and historian Andrew Loney’'s repeated calls for flight log publication ([08:42]).

    “It's not [over] and I'm not sure when it will be over, frankly...this ever sprawling web pulling in even people who've done absolutely nothing wrong but are being kind of caught up in this web of shame.”
    —Laura Kuenssberg ([09:35])

• Impact on Victims:

  • The hosts reflect on how the endless torrent of disclosures must affect Epstein’s survivors and their families ([09:35]).

    “How on earth do you feel as somebody who might have been one of Epstein's victims...as more and more and more of this grisly material is coming out...which is what many of them call for. Of course, transparency. Sunlight's meant to be the best disinfectant, but it certainly doesn't look very disinfected or clean right now.”
    —Laura Kuenssberg ([09:35])

2. Deep-Dive: Britain’s Place in a Turbulent World (Prof. John Bew Interview)

[11:35–42:18]

A. Iran and US Relations

[11:52–15:28]

• Escalation Risks:

  • US military build-up in the region; negotiations ongoing but wide gulf between Iranian and US positions ([11:55]).

  • Prof. Bew believes military action is likely but not inevitable; Trump’s dual character as a deal-seeker and hawk shapes US policy ([13:39]).

    “My instinct is that there's a quite high likelihood of some sort of military action. ...Two things simultaneously with President Trump: ...a willingness to use US military power in swift and decisive ways... On the other hand...a yearning for a Nobel Peace Prize and belief in himself as a dealmaker.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([13:39])

• UK’s Position:

  • Alignment between UK and US across both Conservative and Labour governments regarding Iran. UK is seen as more robust at times than the US ([15:08]).

B. UK-China Relations

[16:07–18:04]

• Visit to China by PM Keir Starmer:

  • Bew stresses the importance of dialogue; partner nations urged the UK to keep diplomatic channels open, even amidst security concerns and public criticism ([16:37]).

    “No one who shares concerns about China in the region thought it was a good position for the UK to be in where there was such a freeze in relationships.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([16:37])

• Politics of Engagement:

  • Starmer’s attempt to tie foreign diplomacy to cost-of-living concerns at home is seen as somewhat outdated given pressing global issues ([18:04]).

C. The Tug-of-War: Foreign vs Domestic Policy

[18:04–21:43]

• PM’s "Reluctant Global Focus":

  • Starmer, like his predecessors, is forced to devote increasing time to global crises despite domestic priorities. All prime ministers struggle to "control the diary," as crises abroad demand attention and have direct domestic impacts ([19:15]).

    “Events have forced him to get involved. But...almost all the prime ministers I work for...ended up spending more and more time on international affairs...It is partly a reflection of the way the world is.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([19:15])

• Foreign Affairs as Leverage:

  • UK's security contributions give it a seat at the table in global negotiations; responsive, well-trained armed forces are a national asset ([21:43]).

D. UK Policy Decision-Making and Planning

[23:28–25:59]

• Challenges of Government:

  • The pressure of the daily "grind" in Number 10 stifles deep, strategic thought. Governments need holistic, long-term plans, not just piecemeal manifesto promises ([23:53], [25:50]).

    “You can't do deep think when you're in there. ...I think the next mandate goes...with an absolutely clear plan. ...Planning is something that's gone out of fashion in this country...But I think that sort of science and art of planning is the absolutely fundamental basis for political success.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([23:53], [25:50])

E. Geopolitical Flashpoints: Ukraine, China, Defence Spending

[25:59–39:42]

• Ukraine:

  • Grim toll of Russian casualties; pace of conflict is slow but real. Slight diplomatic progress, but profound disagreement between Russian and Ukrainian visions ([26:28]).

    “Some of the Russian casualty figures...are just remarkable...inconceivable to me at that moment in time. ...It is snails pace progress, but it is progress on the Russian side as well.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([26:28])

• China’s "Mega Embassy" in London:

  • Bew would not have opted for such a massive Chinese embassy, but acknowledges the government faced limited choices due to longstanding logistical/diplomatic legacy ([29:44]).

• Epstein Scandal’s US Impact:

  • Story dominates Washington news cycles, further erodes public trust in politics due to its wide reach across parties and elites; creates a sense of rot and conspiracy ([32:03]).

    “It is a kind of a remarkable spider's web style network. ...what kind of worries me about it in political terms, apart from the gruesome nature ...is just how deleterious it is to sort of public trust in politics...”
    —Prof. John Bew ([32:03])

• Defence Spending:

  • UK is at the "edge of plausibility" — highly skilled forces but persistent lack of resources and stockpiles; calls for a “vast” increase in defense budget ([34:10–38:58]).

    “We have genuinely brilliant professional armed services...across the services, there's a lack of kit...We're now really at the edge of sort of plausibility.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([35:17])

    “The most useful thing a Prime Minister can bring to the party in [global] negotiations is a sense that we are a net security contributor...National security powers is absolutely vital to making ourselves more secure and more prosperous.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([37:57])

• Lessons from History:

  • UK institutions have thrived when responding to disruption with bold, independent policy moves, rather than passively hoping for international stability ([39:53–42:05]).

F. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On working with four prime ministers:

  • “Rishi Sunak’s was unquestionably the most professional and slickest Number 10, but in remarkably bad political circumstances. ...Working with Boris Johnson over Ukraine was an incredible experience...That was genuine leadership and risk taking.”
    —Prof. John Bew ([38:58])

• On Atlee and the atomic bomb:

  • “He had to hide it from the Chancellor though...Ernest Bevin had had three pints at lunch when he came back into that meeting and said, ‘Let's...We've gotta have this thing over here. We gotta have the great big bloody Union Jack on it.’”
    —Prof. John Bew ([39:54])

3. Reflections on Domestic-Global Tensions

[42:27–45:23]

• Friction Between Global and Local Politics:
  • MPs and the public mostly care about domestic issues, even as international crises exert increasing influence at home (energy bills, security, etc.). Keir Starmer and his government are forced into a world stage by events, making domestic reforms and spending promises more complicated ([44:06–44:49]).
• Green Party Segment:
  • Briefly, leader Zach Polanski’s personal teetotal stance highlighted amid discussion of drug and alcohol policy, offering insight into his personal background ([44:49]).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "All of this adds...adds to the kind of deep dark cloud which is hanging over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor."
  —Henry Zeffman ([03:39])

• "Just because somebody is mentioned in a document or seen in a photograph, it doesn't mean that they did anything wrong."
  —Laura Kuenssberg ([08:08])

• "Sunlight's meant to be the best disinfectant, but it certainly doesn't look very disinfected or clean right now."
  —Laura Kuenssberg ([09:35])

• "Events have forced [Starmer] to get involved. But...almost all the prime ministers I work for...ended up spending more and more time on international affairs."
  —Prof. John Bew ([19:15])

• "We have genuinely brilliant professional armed services. ...We're now really at the edge of sort of plausibility."
  —Prof. John Bew ([35:17])

• "It is a kind of a remarkable spider's web style network. ...what kind of worries me about it in political terms...is just how deleterious it is to sort of public trust in politics."
  —Prof. John Bew ([32:03])

• "The next mandate goes...with an absolutely clear plan. ...I think that sort of science and art of planning is the absolutely fundamental basis for political success."
  —Prof. John Bew ([25:50])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamps | |---|---|---| | Introduction to Epstein files scandal | | 01:42–03:39 | | Details of new allegations vs. Prince Andrew | | 03:39–04:54 | | Mandelson’s connections and denials | | 06:31–08:08 | | Impact on public figures and victims | | 08:08–10:58 | | Prof. John Bew interview: Global security, Iran | | 11:35–15:28 | | UK-China relations | | 16:07–18:04 | | Domestic vs. foreign policy tension | | 18:04–21:43 | | Governing, strategy & planning | | 23:28–25:59 | | Ukraine update | | 25:59–29:44 | | Mega Chinese embassy in London debate | | 29:44–31:42 | | Epstein files' impact on Washington | | 32:03–33:14 | | Defence spending and security priorities | | 34:10–39:42 | | Lessons from 20th-century UK history | | 39:53–42:05 | | Reflections on political complexities | | 42:27–45:23 | | Brief Green Party leader segment | | 44:49–45:23 |

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The tone is analytical yet candid, with moments of wry humor (particularly from John Bew regarding the oddities of power).
• The episode illustrates the real-time difficulties in government decision-making amidst political scandal and international uncertainty.
• The UK’s global posture—the interplay of its scandals, its security priorities, and its diplomatic moves—remains deeply intertwined with domestic politics and public opinion.
• The unending Epstein file revelations represent not just a political scandal but a case study in the corrosive effect of elite misconduct on public trust.

For listeners wanting insight into both the seriousness of the Epstein fallout and the challenges facing the UK on the world stage, this episode provides comprehensive, clear-eyed analysis interwoven with unique lived perspectives from Britain's foreign policy frontlines.