Newscast: "Epstein Files: Starmer Under Pressure Over Mandelson"

BBC News | February 4, 2026
Host(s): Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg

Episode Overview

This episode covers the rapidly escalating scandal involving Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, Keir Starmer’s leadership under fire, and the Labour government’s handling of calls for transparency. With Westminster in uproar, the team dissects both the day’s dramatic parliamentary events and the wider political fallout—also featuring a discussion with Laura Kuenssberg about Reform UK and her new documentary.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Mandelson-Epstein Scandal: Events Unfold Chronologically

PMQs: Starmer’s Tone and Revelations ([03:09]–[09:57])

• The episode is structured chronologically due to the sheer volume and complexity of the day’s news.
• The first major moment: Keir Starmer’s strikingly forceful condemnation of Peter Mandelson during Prime Minister’s Questions. He uses only Mandelson’s surname, accuses him of “betrayal,” and repeatedly claims Mandelson “lied” about his relationship with Epstein.
  • Notable quote (Starmer):

    “Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party. Mr Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team…” ([04:38])

• Starmer refers Mandelson to the police, pledges legislation to strip Mandelson of his title, and moves to remove him from the Privy Council, with the King’s agreement.

Security Vetting and Parliamentary Drama ([06:45]–[14:39])

• Kemi Badenoch presses Starmer: Did security vetting mention Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein?
  • Starmer admits it did, but says Mandelson misrepresented the relationship and lied throughout the process.
  • Notable quote (Starmer):

    “Yes, it did… Mandelson completely misrepresented the extent of his relationship with Epstein and lied throughout…” ([07:19])

• Chris Mason explains why this on-the-record acknowledgment—while somewhat expected—has outsized weight: it “opened the door” for further questions about the government’s judgment and threshold for appointments.

Parliamentary Maneuvering and Labour MP Dissent ([09:57]–[18:57])

• Conservatives use the humble address procedure to demand all documents related to Mandelson’s vetting are published.
• Labour MPs—many uneasy—push for the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to oversee any vetting disclosure, signaling deep mistrust of Downing Street and even of their own party’s leadership.
  • Notable observation (Fleming):

    “…implying subtextually that they didn’t trust their own Prime Minister and Downing Street to release the whole story.” ([17:29])

  • Chris Mason notes the “black mood” and describes Labour MPs as feeling forced ‘to defend the indefensible’.

Police Investigation and Delays ([14:48]–[19:43])

• The Metropolitan Police announce a formal inquiry into Mandelson, requesting that related materials not be immediately published to avoid prejudicing any proceedings.
  • It’s revealed that Starmer’s PMQs statement was toned down on police advice.
• Mason walks listeners through the two-stage ambassadorial vetting procedure: initial “due diligence” and a highly intrusive “developed vetting,” noting only a tiny circle sees the latter’s full findings.

Unprecedented Measures and Leadership Fallout ([19:43]–[22:36])

• The week’s actions—removing Mandelson from the Privy Council, giving police access to Cabinet documents—are significant, even historic, steps.
• Angela Rayner’s vocal role on the Labour backbenches displayed open tensions and has “leadership challenge” undertones.
  • Fleming reflects:

    “…feels a bit. Leadership challenging. To create a new horrible word.” ([21:49])

  • Mason: “There is a sense of where does the Prime Minister go from here with this lingering in the air?... It’s a perilous moment, this, for the Prime Minister, no doubt about it.” ([22:00])

2. Broader Repercussions and Political Context

Internal Labour Discord and Damage to Starmer ([11:10]–[21:49])

• Many Labour MPs fear lasting reputational damage and resent being forced into defending an appointment many already saw as high-risk.
• Rumbles of discontent focused not only on Starmer but on his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

Royal Developments & Epstein Files

• Side discussion of Prince Andrew’s (Mountbatten-Windsor) move out of Royal Lodge, amidst renewed scrutiny of the Epstein files ([22:36]).

Interview: Laura Kuenssberg on Mandelson, Labour, and Reform UK

([26:28]–[49:50])

Kuenssberg’s Mandleson Take ([26:30]–[33:48])

• Kuenssberg calls the Mandelson scandal an “absolute scandal of epic proportion.”
  • Memorable quote (Kuenssberg):

    “It’s not just that Peter Mandelson had huge questions to answer about his decisions around his social life and his links with the convicted paedophile… There are now a paper trail of questions of a member of Gordon Brown’s cabinet giving commercially sensitive information to the banking sector during the very moment of an international financial crisis. It’s astonishing...” ([26:55])

• She reflects on Mandelson’s role as “Mr. Fix It” in Gordon Brown’s government and how revelations suggest this ended in tears.
• The level of Labour’s current instability is profound, with Starmer’s position “not in a solid place right now.”
  • The possibility of texts emerging between Mandelson and Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is raised as a political danger.

Reform UK Documentary: Power vs. Rhetoric ([35:01]–[45:23])

• Kuenssberg’s documentary “Reform: Ready to Rule?” follows Reform UK’s transition from oppositional force to running major councils (notably Kent), highlighting how opposition slogans often founder against the gritty reality of governing.
  • Memorable quote (Kuenssberg):

    “There’s a rhetoric and there’s a reality.”

• She observes significant splits, struggles with local government, and the learning curve many Reform councillors face.

Notable Farage Interview Excerpt ([40:31])

• Farage’s revealing leadership admission:
  • Quote (Farage):

    "Do you know the worst thing about this job? ...You wake up in the morning and you know a local councillor from somewhere in the country has done something or said something, and guess what? You're the one that's responsible." ([40:31])

  • The team notes: for a leader, this is strikingly candid yet also potentially damaging, as he seems less interested in the hard work of responsibility.

Farage and School Controversies ([45:23]–[49:50])

• Kuenssberg challenges Farage on allegations of racism and anti-Semitism from his schooldays.
  • Farage’s response is a “qualified politician’s apology”—“if they genuinely were [hurt], then that’s a pity and I’m sorry, but, but, but, but never ever did I intend to hurt anybody.” ([45:29])
• A former classmate, Peter Edwy, rejects this as a non-apology and says urgent questions remain about Farage’s fitness for public office.

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• Keir Starmer (on Mandelson):
  “He lied repeatedly to my team…If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.” ([04:38])
• Adam Fleming (on House mood):
  “…what is the threshold for a friendship with a convicted paedophile that means you wouldn't get hired at all?” ([09:57])
• Laura Kuenssberg (on scandal scope):
  “This is definitely one of the most shocking, if not the most shocking episodes. I don't say that lightly.” ([31:18])
• Nigel Farage (on political leadership):
  “...that’s the trouble with political leadership is you actually become responsible for everything.” ([40:31])
• Laura Kuenssberg (on Labour):
  “Keir Starmer’s leadership is not in a solid place right now.” ([31:34])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:09] – Day’s events in Parliament—the PMQs showdown.
• [04:38] – Starmer’s historic condemnation of Mandelson.
• [07:19] – Security vetting revelations.
• [09:57] – Debate about thresholds and government vetting.
• [14:39] – The process of document review/ISC involvement.
• [17:29] – Labour MPs show lack of trust in Starmer.
• [21:49] – Discussion of Angela Rayner’s leadership posture.
• [26:55] – Kuenssberg’s verdict: “a scandal of epic proportion.”
• [35:01] – Kuenssberg on reality vs. rhetoric for Reform UK.
• [40:31] – Farage candidly discusses the burdens of leadership.
• [45:29] – Farage grilled on school racism/antisemitism allegations.

Episode Tone and Takeaways

• The tone is one of stunned seriousness—with even veteran reporters frequently expressing surprise at the political gravity and speed of events.
• Repeatedly, the phrase “astonishing,” “unprecedented,” and “shocking” are used to describe both Mandelson’s alleged actions and the Labour government’s responses.
• There’s palpable sense of peril for Keir Starmer, with both his authority and his political future in jeopardy.
• Laura Kuenssberg’s segments on Reform UK add a broader context of political volatility and outsider parties struggling to translate radical critiques into competent governance.

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In:
This episode details the most consequential day in British politics in months: Starmer’s government rocked by Mandelson’s disgrace, Labour ranks in open dissent, the police investigating, and the opposition seizing on every word. With expert analysis and key on-the-record moments, the episode also pulls back to ask what it means for the state of Labour and the future of British politics. The latter half offers a sharp, nuanced look at Reform UK’s struggles and the personal dimensions of their leader.

(Advertisements, intros, and outros have been omitted in this summary.)