Newscast (BBC News): "Has Keir Starmer Saved His Job (For Now)?"

Release Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Alex & James, with contributions from Helena Merriman, Katrina Perry (BBC Washington), Daniela Relf (BBC Royal Correspondent)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the turbulent week faced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, focusing on the rebellion led by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and wider party dissatisfaction tied to leadership decisions and the Peter Mandelson appointment. The hosts analyze if Starmer’s immediate leadership threat has subsided, what’s next for Labour internally and with Scottish elections looming, and how adjacent scandals (notably the Epstein files affecting both UK and US figures, and the Royal Family) continue to generate political and public fallout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. After the Storm: Labour Party Calm or a Temporary Truce?

(02:10 – 07:27)

• Change of Atmosphere:

  • The day after Sarwar's call for Starmer to resign, Westminster mood shifts from "perilous" to "calmer," but with "an extremely wet and cold day" serving as a metaphor for residual unease.
  • James observes Scottish Labour MPs in Downing Street: “They were flat... They didn’t look happy. They were fairly reluctant to talk.” (06:15)

• Keir Starmer’s “Fighting Talk”:

  • Starmer is "literally with his sleeves rolled up at a coffee morning, addressing head-on some of the stuff that's happened." He rejects infighting and reasserts his sense of mandate:

    "I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country with. I will never walk away from the people that I'm charged with fighting for and I will never walk away from the country that I love." — Keir Starmer [04:25-04:42]

• Cabinet Solidarity and Ed Miliband's Honesty:

  • Starmer thanks his cabinet for their public support after a "moment of real peril."
  • Ed Miliband on Radio 4: "Labour MPs looked over the precipice once Anas Sarwar made his statement, and they didn't like what they saw." [05:29]

• Is Starmer Safe?

  • The threat has receded but questions persist about whether "change" will come and if Starmer can satisfy his critics in the longer term.
  • Alex: “Is it change again for Keir Starmer?” [07:25]

2. Internal Labour Discontent: Mandelson, Policy U-Turns, and Staffing

(07:27 – 13:00)

• The Mandelson Appointment as a Flashpoint:

  • Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as U.S. Ambassador sparks criticism, amplifying existing fault lines in Labour:
    • “A sort of bubbling discontent…dates right back to decisions like the decision over the winter fuel payment and then what happened with welfare reform.” — Alex [07:50]

• Personnel Upheaval:

  • Key roles vacated, including Chief of Staff (Morgan McSweeney), Director of Communications (Tim Allen), and incoming change in the senior civil service.
  • Ongoing search symbolizes broader uncertainty in “messaging and strategy...important to how a government functions or doesn't function.” [14:10]

• Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar Dilemma:

  • Starmer publicly backs Sarwar for First Minister after their clash—a signal of attempted unity, but questions linger, especially with Scottish parliamentary elections approaching (May 7).

• Handling Internal Dissent:

  • Pressure not only from Scottish Labour but other MPs and the handling of Wes Streeting’s WhatsApp leaks prompt questions: Should Starmer be "magnanimous or...take a harsh line with people that aren’t falling into line”? [12:15]

• Matthew Doyle Scandal:

  • Ex-chief of communications Matthew Doyle (now Lord Doyle) suspended from Labour Whip in the Lords over past association with disgraced ex-councillor Sean Morton.
    • “He acknowledges he made an error of judgment in continuing to support the campaign. And now he's had the Labour whip suspended.” — Alex [14:03]

3. The Overhang: Epstein Files, The Royals, and International Fallout

(16:08 – 44:32)

US Developments and Lack of Accountability

• Epstein Files Dump:

  • 3 million documents released by the DOJ with significant redactions; suspicions linger about information being withheld, possibly protecting “six men” named in unredacted files.
  • Katrina Perry: “There is a greater sense of accountability going on in the UK now compared to the US." [18:54]

• Specifics:

  • Some US figures (e.g. Noam Chomsky, Howard Lutnick) express regret or clarify past associations.
  • Congressional debate over releasing all, fully unredacted files; "Democrats and some Republicans...until every single file is released...with black stripes removed." [23:30-25:23]
  • Virginia’s Law raised: seeks to end statute of limitations for abuse survivors tied to Epstein; may see bipartisan support. [25:50]

Epstein Fallout Hits the UK Royals

• Prince William’s Tour Overshadowed:

  • Daniela Relf from Saudi Arabia: "A question was shouted at William about whether enough had been done by the royal family around the Andrew Epstein situation...that has become the story." [29:15-29:49]
  • Recent statements from both Kensington (William) and Buckingham Palace (Charles/King) express sympathy for victims and intent to cooperate with police, but are unlikely to end scrutiny.

• Andrew Mountbatten Windsor Under Renewed Pressure:

  • US Congress calls for his voluntary testimony; Palace pledges to support police if approached.
  • Daniela: "We are trying to contact him...to ask if he has any comment...He has, of course, in the past said he regrets his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, but also said he denies any wrongdoing. But at this stage, we haven't had any response at all." [35:52]

• Stateside Perspective:

  • Katrina: “There is a fascination...with Andrew Mountbatten Windsor...There have been calls for the King to compel Andrew to come and give evidence.” [37:36]
  • But public attention waning, eclipsed by the complexity and sheer volume of the Epstein files.

Congressional Naming, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Royal Exposure

• Naming in Congress:

  • Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie name “six men” believed to warrant criminal investigation (not repeated on-air for legal reasons). [42:01]
  • Khanna: “I think this is the most vulnerable the British monarchy has ever been.” [43:03]

• **Ghislaine Maxwell Invokes the Fifth (“I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence” [40:23-41:01]) and pursues a pardon from President Trump—a “stark” demonstration of the limits of public accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Starmer’s Stand:

  "I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country with. I will never walk away from the people that I'm charged with fighting for and I will never walk away from the country that I love."
  (Keir Starmer, as played in segment [04:25-04:42])

• On Labour’s Precipice:

  "Labour MPs looked over the precipice once Anas Sarwar made his statement, and they didn't like what they saw."
  (Ed Miliband, paraphrased by Alex [05:29])

• On Mandates and Infighting:

  "There are some people in recent days who say the Labour government should have a different fight, a fight with itself. Instead of a fight for the millions of people who need us to fight for them."
  (Keir Starmer [04:20])

• On Matthew Doyle’s Suspension:

  “My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by the crimes. But… I made an error of judgment in continuing to support the campaign. And now he's had the labour whip suspended.”
  (Alex, reporting Doyle’s statement [14:03])

• Katrina Perry on US Attitude:

  "There is a greater sense of accountability going on in the UK now compared to what there is in the US."
  (Katrina Perry [18:54])

• Daniela Relf on Royal Family’s Dilemma:

  "William is here trying to develop his role as this global statesman and future king. But we've not been talking about global stages and public duty because the Epstein story is consuming so much of what the royal family are doing at the moment…”
  (Daniela Relf [29:49])

• On Buckingham Palace’s Statement:

  "If we are approached by Thames Valley police, we stand ready to support them, as you would expect."
  (Buckingham Palace statement, paraphrased [32:34])

• Congressman Ro Khanna:

  "I think this is the most vulnerable the British monarchy has ever been."
  (James, quoting Khanna [43:03])

Key Timestamps

• Labour Leadership Drama and Westminster Mood: [02:10–07:27]
• Labour Internal Tensions/Staffing Issues: [07:27–13:00]
• Matthew Doyle Suspension: [12:26–14:10]
• PM Attempts to Refocus on Cost of Living: [14:15–16:08]
• Epstein Files Fallout (US & UK): [16:08–44:32]
• Prince William, Royal Family, and Andrew Mountbatten Windsor Scandal: [16:35–37:36]
• Congressional Unredacted File Debate: [23:30–25:23] and [42:01–43:07]
• Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Testify: [39:37–41:01]
• Congressman Khanna Declaration: [43:03]

Wrap-up

The episode underscores a cooling of immediate pressure on Keir Starmer’s premiership but leaves wide open questions about Labour’s future direction, Starmer’s ability to unite party factions, and personnel stability at the top. Meanwhile, the ongoing Epstein files scandal continues to destabilize revered institutions—the Palace and even Westminster itself—illustrating the unpredictable intersections between party politics, public trust, and elite accountability, in both the UK and US.

For those tracking UK politics or royal affairs, this episode is a must-listen. The insider color, firsthand reporting, and unvarnished expert commentary offer a comprehensive snapshot of a week when, for Starmer and the British establishment, ‘survival’ did not mean resolution.