Newscast: The Week — The King, The Prime Minister and The Epstein Files

Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts/Contributors: Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth, Daniella Radice
Episode Theme:
This episode digs into the explosive revelations from the Epstein files, their direct impact on British politics—especially on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government—and the silent tremors shaking the Royal Family. The Newscast team unpacks the political fallout, the strain on No. 10, the reaction from within Labour, and the public handling (or mishandling) by the monarchy.

Main Topics and Discussion Points

1. The Political Firestorm: Epstein Files Hit Number 10

• Keir Starmer’s Response and Vulnerability

  • Starmer fundamentally changed a planned speech to openly address questions about his leadership, judgment, and the Mandelson appointment ([03:32–04:08]).
  • At a speech in Hastings, Starmer's discomfort and repeated apologies were palpable. Chris Mason observes:

    “I thought Keir Starmer was awkward today. I thought he was uncomfortable...In the space of 15 seconds, I think he said sorry three times.” — Chris Mason ([04:22])

• Notable Quote: Keir Starmer’s Apology

  • “To them, I want to say this. I am sorry. Sorry for what was done to you. Sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now, you're forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.” — Keir Starmer ([05:55])

• Journalistic Scrutiny and Timeline Questions

  • Journalists pressed Starmer about the timeline—who knew what and when regarding Mandelson's vetting and appointment.
  • Chris Mason notes the turning of focus from Mandelson to the PM’s own judgment and decisions ([06:34]).

2. The Mandelson Vetting and Fallout

• Vetting Failures and Recriminations

  • Discussion of what was reasonably in the public domain at the time and if the vetting process could have uncovered more ([06:34–07:47]).
  • Starmer’s assertion: Mandelson lied; Mandelson maintains he answered all vetting questions truthfully.

• Backbench and Internal Party Turmoil

  • Labour MPs’ mood described as “grim”, with anger at the centre, a sense of momentum lost, and discipline slipping ([13:59], [14:01]).
  • Alex Forsyth:

    “There is a really grim mood...there's sort of been now a series of these things which have left MPs with quite low resilience...” ([14:01])

  • Luke Sullivan (ex-advisor):

    "I don't think you can understate how serious the situation, the peril is that the Prime Minister finds himself in." ([13:30])

• Commons Debacle and Document Release

  • Conservative-led Commons vote has widened scrutiny: not only official documents, but WhatsApps and broader communications could be published, raising national security and political risks ([17:53–19:05]).

3. The Royal Family: Silence and Symbolism

• Prince Andrew Photo and Ghislaine Maxwell Email

  • Recent Epstein files confirm the authenticity of the infamous photo of Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre; Ghislaine Maxwell, in a 2015 email, affirms the photo is real, challenging Andrew’s claims ([07:47–09:09]).
    • Daniella Radice:

      “In the latest drop of Epstein files, there's an email...from Ghislaine Maxwell...that photo was definitely true, it was real, it wasn't doctored. It did happen. She was there.” ([08:17])

• Royal Response Under Scrutiny

  • Discussion on the royal family's traditionally silent approach—now under strain as journalists "doorstep" the King with questions about the scandal ([09:23-11:54]).
  • Daniella highlights the tension:

    “The King is well aware of what is going on here...he's not going to answer anything when he's being shouted at...but they don't also perhaps want to feel like they're hiding away either.” ([10:08])

• Power of Royal Imagery

  • Andrew’s recent paparazzi photos—seen as “statements” by action, not words—prompted rapid movement by the Royal Household to remove him from public visibility ([11:54–13:03]).

4. The Pressure on Labour's Centre & Government Figures

• Angela Rayner’s Role

  • Former Deputy PM Angela Rayner is highlighted for breaking ranks and publicly challenging the government's position on vetting file releases.
    • Chris Mason:

      "When a recently departed Deputy Prime Minister...basically saying, it doesn't wash, we're not willing to back it...that mattered and matters." ([26:36])

• Morgan McSweeney as a “Lightning Rod”

  • PM’s Chief of Staff, closely tied to the Mandelson appointment, faces mounting criticism internally, becoming a symbol of central misjudgment.
    • Alex Forsyth:

      "He has become, for some, a bit of a symbol of what some...would see as the problems in Downing Street..." ([28:22])

  • Despite public calls for his removal, no change from No. 10 at time of recording.

• Deep Disappointment Among Labour MPs

  • Many MPs—regardless of faction—feel their “rare” opportunity in power is being squandered due to unforced errors and scandal fallout ([30:12–31:42]):
    • Chris Mason:

      "They just can't quite believe that this fairly rare...moment where Labour actually win a general election...that there's just that deep sense of despondency." ([30:12])

5. The Unknowns Ahead

• Future Document Leaks and By-Election Pressure

  • Uncertainty remains about which files will emerge, their content, and timing—potentially affecting by-elections and party fortunes ([25:27–25:58]).
  • Adam Fleming references the vast troves of unseen Epstein files in the US, raising spectres of further revelations ([24:15]).

• Royal vs. Political Communication

  • Daniela Radice ponders if “contrite and sorry” from Starmer sets a public tone and asks if similar victim-centred apologies are now necessary from the monarchy ([21:12–22:04]).

    • "Do we need to hear that from the King? Maybe." — Daniella Radice ([21:12])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Chris Mason on Starmer:

  "Keir Starmer was awkward today...that's quite a thing, isn't it? In the space of 15 seconds, I think he said sorry three times.” ([04:22])

• Daniella Radice on Royal Reporters:

  "The idea that we don't question and don't ask and don't try and get guidance...I think we get a bit of a...bad rap.” ([09:41–10:09])

• Luke Sullivan’s Stark Warning:

  "I don't think you can understate how serious the situation, the peril is that the Prime Minister finds himself in." ([13:30])

• Alex Forsyth on Labour Mood:

  "There is a really grim mood....there's sort of been now a series of these things which have left MPs with quite low resilience...” ([14:01])

• Chris Mason on Labour’s Disappointment:

  “There’s just that deep sense of despondency that...this government of theirs...has in their view wildly underperformed and they're desperate to see it succeed." ([30:12])

• Adam Fleming:

  “No one, no matter how great at politics, can go back in time and unhire Peter Mandelson...” ([32:01])

Key Timestamps

• [03:32–04:08]: Starmer rewrites speech to confront scandal head-on
• [04:22]: Starmer’s public apology, repeated three times
• [05:55]: Clip of Starmer’s apology to victims
• [08:17]: Maxwell email appears to confirm legitimacy of Prince Andrew photo
• [13:30]: Luke Sullivan reflects on the seriousness of the crisis for Starmer
• [14:01]: Labour mood described as “grim” and “bleak”
• [17:53]: Commons move puts all communications (including WhatsApps) in play for release
• [21:12]: Debate over whether the Royal Family must respond directly and publicly
• [26:36]: Angela Rayner’s political significance and role in challenging file secrecy
• [28:22]: Morgan McSweeney detailed as focal point for internal party grief
• [30:12–31:42]: Labour MPs’ disappointment and disillusionment

Tone and Style

The episode is urgent, sober, occasionally tinged with weary humour, but dominated by a sense of gravity about politics “out of control” and a monarchy struggling with its own shadow. The presenters use vivid anecdotes (e.g., Andrew on horseback), honest assessments (“boiling with anger”), and candid behind-the-scenes insights from within both No. 10 and the Palace.

Conclusion

This episode paints a vivid picture of a government and monarchy both reeling from the repercussions of the Epstein scandal. The Labour government—still new in office—struggles to assert control, with Starmer and his inner circle under immense scrutiny from within and without. Meanwhile, the Royal Family’s silence grows louder, as public and media demands for acknowledgment and contrition intensify in the face of fresh evidence and relentless headlines. The situation remains volatile—politically, personally, and constitutionally—with further revelations and challenges all but certain.