Podcasts about foreign office

In this latest Conflicted Conversation, Thomas talks with Tory MP Sir Jeremy Hunt. Over fourteen years of Conservative government, Hunt served as Culture Secretary, Health Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer. But in this discussion, Jeremy draws especially on his eventful year running the Foreign Office to argue against Western defeatism and to make the case for liberal democracy. Sir Jeremy discusses: The view from inside power during Britain's 2010–2024 crisis years Britain's imperial inheritance, post-Brexit identity, and the “Global Britain” problem Trump's 2018 NATO shock and Hunt's case for higher European defence spending China, Russia and Iran as the new autocratic challenge to liberal democracy Yemen and the Stockholm Agreement as a tragic test of humanitarian diplomacy Iran, hostage diplomacy, the JCPOA and the limits of Western coercive power Join the Conflicted Community here: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm Find us on X: https://x.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Conflicted is a Message Heard production. Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren. This episode was produced by Thomas Small and Ross Field and edited by Mariana Ramirez-Zablah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iain Dale interviews former head of the Foreign Office and former national security adviser Lord Ricketts - live from Fowey.

What happens when Britain fights the Cold War with typewriters, fake pamphlets, covert publishers, and even pretend hippies? On this episode of Spybrary's Cold War Spy Files, Shane Whaley talks with historian Rory Cormac about his book Fakers: A Top Secret Tale of Phantoms and Forgeries on the Disinformation Line.and the extraordinary true story of the Information Research Department — Britain's secret propaganda and forgery machine. A fascinating dive into Cold War deception, disinformation, and 'state-sanctioned skullduggery.' The conversation opens the file on Britain's Cold War covert propaganda machine, especially the little-known Information Research Department — the IRD — a blandly named Foreign Office unit involved in unattributable propaganda, forgeries, fake groups, and intelligence laundering. Professor Cormac explains how the IRD moved far beyond ordinary government messaging, creating forged pamphlets, fake political organisations, covert publishing operations, and disinformation campaigns designed to expose or disrupt Soviet influence worldwide. The episode is packed with strange-but-true stories, from British officials posing as hippies to disrupt a Soviet-backed youth festival in Bulgaria, to the painstaking forensic details of typewriters, staples, paper, and fonts used in Cold War forgery work.   The discussion also highlights the unusual people behind these operations: refugees, journalists, women, fixer-agents, propagandists, and oddball bureaucrats working in the shadows of British foreign policy. Rather than focusing on famous spies or prime ministers, Fakers reveals the human texture of covert influence work: the hustlers, handlers, writers, typists, and paper experts who helped wage Britain's secret propaganda war. Buy Fakers by Rory Cormac Follow Rory Cormac Cold War Spy Files Join the Spybrary Community Support Spybrary Sign up for The Dead Drop newsletter

In this episode, Ginny Critcher talks with Ben French, leadership development consultant and business coach, about what it really takes to transition an organisation from founder-led to a more structured, process-driven way of working. Drawing on their shared experience working with a global football organisation, Ben and Ginny explore the tension between preserving the culture that made a company successful and introducing the processes needed to help it grow — or survive contraction. They discuss when organisations typically need to make this shift, why getting the calibration of process right matters as much as having process at all, and how documenting culture and policy are really the same thing. Topics covered include: Why organisations of around 10–30 people often hit a tipping point The challenge of adapting central frameworks to work across different countries and cultures How external consultants can help organisations ask the right questions — not just do the work The role of decision-making clarity in shaping culture How to communicate that policy is always a work in progress Ben also shares what he's been working on since, including a project with the British government focused on embedding new behaviours as different parts of the Foreign Office come together. Find out more about Ben French at ben-french.com Visit Cherryleaf at cherryleaf.com

In this episode, hear Olly Belcher, Past President of the St Edmund Hall Association in conversation with Robert Macaire, who came up to the Hall in 1984 to read Modern History.  Rob rowed in the first eight and was one of the founding members of the much loved Syndicate! After Teddy Hall, he joined the Ministry of Defence and then the Foreign Office where his first posting was to Romania.  Following postings to Washington DC and to Nairobi as British High Commissioner, Rob was appointed as Her Majesty's Ambassador to Iran.  He then spent time in the private sector before turning his hand to the third sector with his recent appointment as CEO of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy meaning a return to Kenya.  Spirit of the Hall podcast is produced by the St Edmund Hall Association, the voluntary alumni body independent which represents all Aularians. The views and opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Association, St Edmund Hall or the University of Oxford.

Quantum Nurse https://graceasagra.com/ Freedom International Livestream Thursday, May 7, 2026 @ 12:00 PM EST Guest: Dr. Uwe Alschner, PhD Topic: For the Benefit of the Other:  Who Really Shapes Happiness   Bio: Dr. Uwe Alschner, PhD, is a German historian and investigative journalist known for his critical analyses of contemporary political and health narratives. Holding a PhD in History and an M.A. in English, he began his career in the European Commission and later served in Germany's Foreign Office and the Christian Democratic Union. https://benefitoftheother.substack.com/     Special Guest Hosts:   NICK PITRUZELLO (Algo Cowboy)              https://www.youtube.com/@AlgoFactory   Warren Monty Quesnell Facebook – Citizen Journalist   Nikki Watson               https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthelinespodcast1                         Founding Host:   Grace Asagra, RN MA Podcast:  Quantum Nurse: Out of the Rabbit Hole from Stress to Bliss TIP/DONATE LINK for Grace Asagra @ Quantum Nurse Podcast https://patron.podbean.com/QuantumNurse https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FHUXTQVAVJDPU Venmo - @Grace-Asagra 609-203-5854 WELLNESS RESOURCES Premier Research Labs - https://prlabs.com/customer/account/create/code/59n84f/ - 15% discount - 15%_59N84F_05

A former senior Foreign Office official told lawmakers that he was instructed to move ahead with appointing Peter Mandelson despite raising concerns during the vetting process, including issues connected to Mandelson's associations and the potential political fallout. According to his testimony, he was effectively told to “get on with it,” signaling that the decision had already been made at higher levels and that standard caution around security clearance and reputational risk was being overridden.The disclosure has fueled criticism that the appointment process was rushed and that proper scrutiny was sidelined in favor of political priorities. Officials acknowledged that red flags existed but indicated there was little willingness to delay or reconsider the decision, even with Epstein-related concerns lingering in the background. The episode has since raised broader questions about how seriously vetting procedures are taken when they conflict with political objectives, and whether accountability mechanisms within the government were bypassed.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Former foreign office chief was told to ‘get on' with appointing Mandelson despite his worries over links with Epstein | LBC

Given Palantir's controversial manifesto – described by some as having “techno-fascist” tendencies – why is the UK Government expanding its work with the company? Why has the Foreign Office closed its international humanitarian law unit, and what does this say about the UK's commitment to international law? Is the government doing enough to address mental health issues, particularly among young people and Gen Z? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this week's edition of Question Time. __________ Go deeper into the world of The Rest Is Politics by signing up for our free newsletter HERE, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis and weekend reads from Alastair and Rory. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus. Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair's miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, exclusive newsletters, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Stop overpaying for energy. Switch at fuseenergy.com/politics and get a free TRIP+ subscription. Stream Secret Service now on ITVX. Visit https://www.itv.com/watch/secret-service/10a3104 __________ Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @restispolitics Email: therestispolitics@goalhanger.com __________ Social Producer: Emma Jackson Video Editor: James Clayden, Lorcan Moullier Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Producer: Evan Green Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer General Manager: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Indiscretion of Mr. Edwards is a 1946 radio play from The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The plot unfolds with Holmes and Dr. Watson visiting a Paris circus where their client, Mr. Edwards (a disguised royal), is involved with bareback rider Giselle; Giselle is later found strangled, leading to the identification of a jealous animal trainer as the murderer.Plot DetailsThe story begins with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson at the ringside of "the Circ Royale" in Paris, awaiting a meeting with their distinguished client, Mr. Edwards. It's soon revealed that Mr. Edwards is, in fact, a member of the British Royal Family traveling incognito, whose "indiscretion" lies in his serious involvement with Madame Giselle, a beautiful bareback rider at the circus.The Foreign Office is deeply concerned about this affair and has entrusted Holmes with the delicate mission of protecting Mr. Edwards and subtly ending his relationship with Giselle. To achieve this, Holmes orchestrates a plan to expose Giselle's true mercenary nature by having another English gentleman woo her with promises of greater wealth. This plan takes a dark turn when Giselle is found strangled in her dressing room.Holmes's investigation uncovers that Giselle had multiple entanglements, including with Alfiero, an animal trainer who was deeply in love with her. The clues lead Holmes to deduce that Alfiero, driven by jealousy and rage over Giselle's various relationships and her dismissiveness towards him, was her murderer. The case concludes with the arrest of the animal trainer.Broadcast Information"The Indiscretion of Mr. Edwards" was the 23rd episode of season 6 of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio series. It was first aired on WOR-MBS (the Mutual Network) on February 4, 1946. While the user's query mentioned February 24, 1946, multiple sources confirm the broadcast date as February 4, 1946. The episode starred Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson.Although an original radio play, the story is considered to be inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Three Students."

A former senior Foreign Office official told lawmakers that he was instructed to move ahead with appointing Peter Mandelson despite raising concerns during the vetting process, including issues connected to Mandelson's associations and the potential political fallout. According to his testimony, he was effectively told to “get on with it,” signaling that the decision had already been made at higher levels and that standard caution around security clearance and reputational risk was being overridden.The disclosure has fueled criticism that the appointment process was rushed and that proper scrutiny was sidelined in favor of political priorities. Officials acknowledged that red flags existed but indicated there was little willingness to delay or reconsider the decision, even with Epstein-related concerns lingering in the background. The episode has since raised broader questions about how seriously vetting procedures are taken when they conflict with political objectives, and whether accountability mechanisms within the government were bypassed.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Former foreign office chief was told to ‘get on' with appointing Mandelson despite his worries over links with Epstein | LBCBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

It's a blockbuster day in parliament today. To kick things off, we had Philip Barton pleading ignorance; to close the proceedings tonight we have a vote on a possible Privileges Committee probe. But in between we have Morgan McSweeney, the longtime bete noire of the Labour party left, giving testimony on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador. McSweeney pushed hard for Mandy to be given the gig: a decision which he said in his opening statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee was a ‘serious error'. However, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff denied pressuring Foreign Office officials to clear the appointment ‘at all costs'.It wasn't as explosive as Olly Robbins last week and there seemed to be a more personal subplot running between McSweeney and chair Emily Thornberry – who was denied her frontbench role by Keir Starmer. Is the Prime Minister more or less secure after this latest testimony?Noa Hoffman speaks to Tim Shipman.Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a blockbuster day in parliament today. To kick things off, we had Philip Barton pleading ignorance; to close the proceedings tonight we have a vote on a possible Privileges Committee probe. But in between we have Morgan McSweeney, the longtime bete noire of the Labour party left, giving testimony on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador. McSweeney pushed hard for Mandy to be given the gig: a decision which he said in his opening statement to the Foreign Affairs Committee was a ‘serious error'. However, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff denied pressuring Foreign Office officials to clear the appointment ‘at all costs'.It wasn't as explosive as Olly Robbins last week and there seemed to be a more personal subplot running between McSweeney and chair Emily Thornberry – who was denied her frontbench role by Keir Starmer. Is the Prime Minister more or less secure after this latest testimony?Noa Hoffman speaks to Tim Shipman.Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A former senior Foreign Office official told lawmakers that he was instructed to move ahead with appointing Peter Mandelson despite raising concerns during the vetting process, including issues connected to Mandelson's associations and the potential political fallout. According to his testimony, he was effectively told to “get on with it,” signaling that the decision had already been made at higher levels and that standard caution around security clearance and reputational risk was being overridden.The disclosure has fueled criticism that the appointment process was rushed and that proper scrutiny was sidelined in favor of political priorities. Officials acknowledged that red flags existed but indicated there was little willingness to delay or reconsider the decision, even with Epstein-related concerns lingering in the background. The episode has since raised broader questions about how seriously vetting procedures are taken when they conflict with political objectives, and whether accountability mechanisms within the government were bypassed.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Former foreign office chief was told to ‘get on' with appointing Mandelson despite his worries over links with Epstein | LBCBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

After two blockbuster sessions of the Commons committee looking into the appointment and vetting of Peter Mandelson, what did we learn from the evidence of former Foreign Office mandarin Sir Phillip Barton and former Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney?Daniel Finkelstein is joined by Tom McTague and Ollie Cole to find out where this leaves Keir Starmer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British politics was shaken to its core this week when we all realised that, maybe, Keir Starmer isn't as quite across the detail as he tries to make out. He had to explain exactly what he did and didn't know about the developed vetting carried out for Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's Ambassador to the US.Right on the heels of that, came Olly Robbins, who was sacked last week from his role as the chief official at the Foreign Office. In a very civil servant way, he revealed the internal pressures and machinations that were happening during the appointment process.Both men had serious questions to answer about what they did but Coco and Nish are joined by political journalist Zoë Grünewald to ask why everyone is obsessing over the process while almost totally ignoring the larger, moral decision to make the appointment in the first place.Plus the comedian Rosie Jones arrives to totally derail the whole podcast with a mix of funny jabs at Nish while still telling us about the work of her brilliant foundation which is celebrating its first birthday!  Don't forget to leave a review - it gives the show a boost and we love to see your comments.**Warning: use of a racial slur during the Labour May election segment**CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS INCOGNI: https://www.incogni.com/podsavetheuk Code: podsavetheukWISE: https://shopify.co.uk/podsavetheukAURA FRAMES: https://www.auraframes.com Code: PSTUK SHIPSTATION: https://www.shipstation.com Code: PSTUKGUESTS Zoë Grünewald - Journalist, broadcaster and political commentatorRosie Jones - ComedianUSEFUL LINKSThe Rosie Jones Foundation: https://www.rosiejonesfoundation.com/CREDITSSir Keir Starmer MP - Parliament TVEmily Thornberry MP - The Mirror, YouTube Sir Oliver Robbins - Parliament TV David Miliband MP - Mornings with Ridge and Frost, Sky News Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Get in touch - contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukLike and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUKInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukX: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

The Mandelson affair has become less about Peter Mandelson's alleged wrongdoing, and all about Keir Starmer's ability to run the country.This week Olly Robbins, former chief civil servant at the Foreign Office, insisted the Prime Minister pressured him into clearing Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador post.Yesterday, Starmer was forced to admit his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle, who was suspended from the Labour Party over campaigning for a convicted child sex offender, was also considered for a diplomatic role. Labour MPs and even cabinet ministers no longer seem able to defend the Prime Minister.But the frontrunners to replace Starmer are also, according to reporting by our editor Tom McTague, biding their time.How long can they wait? How long can the country wait?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague in the studio.READ: Keir Starmer is all alonehttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-aloneLISTEN AD-FREE:

Seven days in, Westminster is still consumed by the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. The PM has had his say. Olly Robbins - the permanent secretary that Starmer dismissed - has also given his account. So where does this leave Keir Starmer?  Foreign Office permanent secretary Peter Ricketts joins the podcast team to work out where a week of blame and counter-blame has left the government - and what it means for an already damaged relationship between civil servants and ministers. Plus: new IfG research on how civil servants should handle policy making in major crises. Hosted by Hannah White. With Alex Thomas, Cath Haddon, and Vimbai Dzimwasha. Produced by Milo Hynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Media Confidential, Alan and Lionel discuss the top story of the week—Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting before he was appointed as ambassador to the United States.As Keir Starmer goes toe-to-toe with the Foreign Office, the hosts discuss the excellent coverage of Guardian journalists Pippa Crerar, Paul Lewis and Henry Dyer.They also speculate on King Charles's upcoming state visit to the US and an inevitably fraught White House correspondents' dinner, where the president will be making an appearance.Plus, Alan and Lionel discuss the Atlantic, which faces a $250m defamation suit from the head of the FBI, Kash Patel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Keir Starmer has sent a "real chill throughout the civil service." That's according to a senior union official following his decision to sack the lead civil servant in the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins.James and Chris are joined by Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, Catherine Haddon, to discuss the recent turbulence in the relationship between the government and the Civil Service over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and whats next for the institution.And, economics editor Faisal also joins us to discuss why the inflation rate has increased 3.3% in March. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by James Cook. It was made by Chris Gray with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

It will come as no surprise that Keir Starmer appears to have heard a very different evidence session from Sir Olly Robbins to the one everyone else thought the ex Foreign Office mandarin gave yesterday. The Prime Minister arrived in the Commons for questions today convinced that Robbins had in fact largely backed him up, give or take a few quibbles over whether there was a ‘dismissive' attitude in Downing Street towards Peter Mandelson's vetting. What planet is the PM on?Eyes were fixed on his front bench, with journalists looking for any chinks in the armour after a couple of very unconvincing media rounds from usually loyal hummers Ed Miliband and Pat McFadden, but will anyone actually move against Starmer?Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how former senior Foreign Office official Olly Robbins has been giving evidence about his role in Lord Mandelson's appointment and about how a major shift in public health policy is on the way in the UK.

The government is reeling from the revelation that Peter Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US despite having failed a security vetting process. With the blame-game dominating the week in Westminster, what will we learn from Keir Starmer's 'judgment day' Commons statement? What will Olly Robbins – who was sacked by the PM as Foreign Office permanent secretary – reveal in a crucial select committee appearance? What has the vetting row shown about the way decisions are made at the top of government? How should the vetting and appointments process be overhauled? And what does this row mean for relations between civil servants and ministers? An IfG expert webinar answered these questions and more. The webinar featured: Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States is a moment Keir Starmer will rue.On Monday, he faced MPs in the UK Parliament to explain what he knew about the vetting process, which it has been revealed Mandelson failed.Starmer says he knew nothing about it and has sacked the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office over what he says was the failure to inform him.Mandelson resigned as Ambassador following revelations about his links to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and allegations he had shared sensitive documents with the billionaire.If he wasn't told, how could Starmer have failed to check Mandelson's vetting properly? And as many politicians in Britain are demanding to know, why didn't he ask?Irish Times London Correspondent Mark Paul explains.Presented by Mark Hennessy. Produced by Declan Conlon and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is reeling from the revelation that Peter Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US despite having failed a security vetting process. With the blame-game dominating the week in Westminster, what will we learn from Keir Starmer's 'judgment day' Commons statement? What will Olly Robbins – who was sacked by the PM as Foreign Office permanent secretary – reveal in a crucial select committee appearance? What has the vetting row shown about the way decisions are made at the top of government? How should the vetting and appointments process be overhauled? And what does this row mean for relations between civil servants and ministers? An IfG expert webinar answered these questions and more. The webinar featured: Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Today, Olly Robbins the sacked former Foreign Office chief, says number 10 had a “dismissive” attitude to the vetting of Lord Mandelson.Robbins told MPs when he took over the role there was "already a very very strong expectation" from No 10 that Mandelson "needed to be in post and in America as quickly as possible". Downing Street has denied showing a "dismissive" approach to the vetting, and says Robbins made an "error of judgement". So where does this leave the Prime Minister? Adam and Chris discuss. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The social producer was . The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Foreign Office chief sacked over the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal has finally given his side of the story in an explosive appearance before MPs. Olly Robbins told the foreign affairs select committee that he faced ‘constant pressure' to get Mandelson in post as US ambassador as soon as possible, and claimed Downing Street took a ‘dismissive' attitude to vetting. It came a day after Keir Starmer accused Robbins of ‘obstructing the truth' about the vetting process in a high-stakes appearance in parliament. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's political editor, Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

'The most gripping testimony' since Dominic Cummings which could prove 'extraordinary and quietly devastating' for Keir Starmer. That's the verdict of the Spectator's political editor Tim Shipman following sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins's testimony today before the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tim and former FCDO mandarin Ameer Kotecha join James Heale to explain why the hearing over the Mandelson appointment was so important, the questions the session has raised – and the holes in the story that still remain. Produced by Megan McElroy and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Curran reports as the Foreign Office former mandarin Olly Robbins answers questions about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador

Sir Olly Robbins dropped bombshell after bombshell when he spoke to MPs. Robbins, who was sacked as the Foreign Office's chief civil servant, has accused Downing Street of placing the department under constant pressure to get Lord Mandelson through vetting. He also said the prime minister had tried to find an ambassadorial job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour peer who's been in trouble for a friendship with a paedophile. Where does it all leave Sir Keir Starmer?Plus, we reveal when the next tranche of Mandelson files will be published.Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday TimesLara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture credit: Parliament TVClips: Parliament TVThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been another bruising day for Sir Keir Starmer as Sir Olly Robbins, the former top Foreign Office official sacked over the Lord Mandelson vetting row, has broken his silence. Giving evidence to MPs at the foreign affairs select committee, he accused Downing Street of applying “constant pressure” to push the appointment through despite Mandelson failing vetting checks.Camilla and Tim ask how damaging Sir Olly's testimony will be to Keir Starmer, as Robbins revealed the Government didn't even want Lord Mandelson vetted at all, and asked him to explore an ambassadorship for his now disgraced former spin doctor Matthew Doyle.Lord Glasman, the Labour peer, also joins Camilla and Tim, saying that Sir Keir must go and that a growing number of backbenchers now agree with him.

Sir Keir Starmer's relationship with the civil service has broken down following the sacking of Sir Olly Robbins.The former top civil servant at the Foreign Office told parliament there was a "dismissive approach" to security vetting from No 10, but the prime minister maintains it was Robbins who made "an error of judgement".So, what's at stake when the inner workings of government grind to a halt?Lord Peter Ricketts, who is also a former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, joins Niall to discuss what happens when things go wrong and whether Starmer can repair relations with the civil servants who deliver his mandate, before it's too late.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

Today, the Prime Minister has faced questions from MPs over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite failing security vetting.Sir Keir Starmer accused officials in the Foreign Office of deliberately and repeatedly withholding the fact Lord Mandelson initially failed security vetting for the role. Giving a statement to MPs, the prime minister said if he had known, he would not have gone ahead with the appointment. Adam and Chris discuss where this leaves Starmer.And, on a day where the status of US-Iran ceasefire talks are unclear Adam speaks to chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet from Tehran. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Westminster is braced ahead of two key interventions in the Mandelson scandal. This afternoon, the prime minister will give a statement in which we understand he will convey his ‘anger' at being kept in the dark about Peter Mandelson's (failed) vetting process. Then tomorrow morning, we are expecting to hear Olly Robbins's side of the story when he appears in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Whose testimony will be the most compelling? Will it be the case – as we expect – that Mandelson's was a political appointment which the Foreign Office was under orders to push through, despite what skeletons might be in his closet?Tim Shipman speaks to James Heale.Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK ambassador to the United States has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that he failed a key security vetting process but was still cleared for the role. Despite concerns raised during the vetting—reportedly tied in part to his past associations, including his connection to Jeffrey Epstein—the Foreign Office pushed the appointment through anyway. The situation escalated when those concerns became public, raising serious questions about how and why such a decision was made in the face of known risks.The controversy has now spilled over onto Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing mounting criticism over claims that proper procedures were followed. Critics argue that either Starmer was unaware of the failed vetting—which points to a breakdown in oversight—or he knew and chose to move forward regardless, which raises deeper concerns about judgment and transparency. The Epstein connection has only intensified the backlash, reinforcing the perception that reputational and security risks were downplayed or ignored for political convenience, leaving Starmer under growing pressure to explain how this was allowed to happen.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Peter Mandelson failed US ambassador vetting – but was given the job anyway | The Independent

During his time as the UK's Special Representative for Trade and Investment, records tied to Prince Andrew's official trips, contacts, and activities were placed under long-term restriction, with key Foreign Office documents not scheduled for release until 2065—effectively sealing them for decades. Prince Andrew held the role from 2001 to 2011, a position that gave him access to sensitive government briefings, high-level business negotiations, and diplomatic communications. The decision to lock away those records has been tied to standard confidentiality rules around state business, but the sheer length of the embargo—spanning more than half a century—has raised serious questions about whether the intent is protection of national interests or insulation of a controversial figure from scrutiny.That decision has triggered significant blowback, especially as new revelations about his conduct as trade envoy have emerged, including allegations that he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein and blurred the lines between public duty and private relationships. Lawmakers and critics have argued that keeping those records sealed while investigations unfold only deepens suspicion and fuels the perception of institutional protection. Calls to release the documents have intensified, with political pressure mounting to end long-standing conventions that shield royals from accountability, as the secrecy surrounding Andrew's envoy years is now seen as a central obstacle to understanding the full scope of his actions and any potential misconduct.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

It's Keir Starmer's darkest day in office. In a statement to the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister apologised again for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, but stopped short of admitting to misleading the House about the vetting process.Despite the Prime Minister laying the blame squarely at the door of the Foreign Office, Camilla and Tim say that the whole sorry saga is the final nail in the coffin for Starmer's premiership, and he must resign.Elsewhere, Camilla and Tim look ahead to ousted Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins's appearance before the Select Committee tomorrow, where they expect him to say that he couldn't act on the results of Mandelson's vetting as the Government had already announced his appointment.

Trump issues ultimatum as Iran's chief negotiator warns of "major differences" in talks. Federal fuel tax holiday begins tomorrow, but experts warn price relief may be invisible. States of emergency and washouts as record rain and snowmelt trigger major flooding in Ontario and Quebec. Premier Ford grounds the "gravy plane" just days after its purchase. UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing renewed scrutiny over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Foreign Office shifts blame. North Korea launches multiple missiles as Japan issues a formal protest. Virtual fencing tech is revolutionizing Canadian ranching by using GPS collars and smartphone apps.

Laura and Paddy are back! Today, they're discussing the key questions facing Sir Keir Starmer over the latest revelations about Lord Mandelson Sir Olly Robbins, the former chief Foreign Office official, was ousted by Starmer on Thursday after it was revealed that Mandelson had failed the foreign office vetting programme. The key questions are still to be answered formally over who knew what, and when.The PM is set to appear in the Commons on Monday, and Olly Robbins is expected to be grilled by MPs on Tuesday. But how exactly did we get here? What are the key questions Starmer and Robbins need to answer? And could this be the final nail in the coffin for Keir Starmer's premiership?You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell. It was made by Rufus Gray with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

President Trump has said that things "are working out very well" with Iran - despite Tehran closing the Strait of Hormuz again, and accusing Washington of "piracy" for its blockade of Iranian ports. Also: A French UN peacekeeper is killed in an attack in southern Lebanon. A former civil servant who was in charge of the Foreign Office has accused Downing Street of throwing one of his successors under the bus. And: A wild otter has caused chaos at a garden centre near Dumfries.

Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering' and ‘unforgivable' that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador. The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of investigations, Paul Lewis – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Peter Mandelson scandal just got more scandalous. Last night the story broke that Mandeslon actually failed his enhanced vetting before being made US Ambassador. Number 10 are pleading ignorance. Their defence sits on the suggestion that the Foreign Office's most senior official unilaterally decided to ignore the findings and – what's more – that he told no one. It's a stretch and, as Tim Shipman says MPs' 'fury is overwhelming'. There are a number of outstanding questions, including: what could possibly be in it for the FCDO to withhold this key information? Now Sir Olly Robbins has been sacked, will he go public? Did Starmer knowingly mislead parliament when he said that the vetting process was followed? And, considering he found out this information earlier this week, why didn't he correct the record? Tim Shipman and Isabel Hardman join Oscar Edmondson to react to the latest in what is shaping up to be one of the most challenging scandal of the Starmer era.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK ambassador to the United States has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that he failed a key security vetting process but was still cleared for the role. Despite concerns raised during the vetting—reportedly tied in part to his past associations, including his connection to Jeffrey Epstein—the Foreign Office pushed the appointment through anyway. The situation escalated when those concerns became public, raising serious questions about how and why such a decision was made in the face of known risks.The controversy has now spilled over onto Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing mounting criticism over claims that proper procedures were followed. Critics argue that either Starmer was unaware of the failed vetting—which points to a breakdown in oversight—or he knew and chose to move forward regardless, which raises deeper concerns about judgment and transparency. The Epstein connection has only intensified the backlash, reinforcing the perception that reputational and security risks were downplayed or ignored for political convenience, leaving Starmer under growing pressure to explain how this was allowed to happen.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Peter Mandelson failed US ambassador vetting – but was given the job anyway | The IndependentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Sir Keir Starmer's premiership is on the brink after it emerged that Peter Mandelson failed his vetting for the post of US ambassador, but was still appointed anyway.The Prime Minister says he wasn't told and is “furious”, and Foreign Office civil servant Sir Olly Robbins has already become the latest “fall guy” for the Mandelson appointment, but Camilla and Jacob Rees-Mogg say Starmer is “either a knave or a fool” and must ultimately now fall on his sword.Camilla and Sir Jacob also look at the options for who might replace the Prime Minister if and when he resigns, with Ed Milliband and Angela Rayner seemingly top of the list.

Peter Mandelson, the problem that won't go away. Keir Starmer is once again fighting to save his political career, after saying he was not told Mandelson had failed security vetting ahead of his appointment as US ambassador.So what really happened? Is this a failure of leadership or does it point to a deeper rot inside Westminster? And either way, can Starmer survive it? On this episode of The Fourcast, Krishnan Guru-Murthy was joined by Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee and Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, former chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. A Downing Street spokesman told Channel 4 News: “The Foreign Office have run this vetting process, and at no point, at any point in any part of this process was anyone in Number 10, PM or otherwise, informed by the Foreign Office that the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was for him not to pass his developed vetting.”

Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense political pressure after claims Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting was overruled — sparking accusations the Prime Minister misled Parliament. Downing Street has attempted to shift blame onto Foreign Office officials, while senior civil servant Sir Olly Robbins has now exited his role amid the growing fallout.With Kemi Badenoch and other party leaders openly calling for Starmer to resign, tensions are rising across Westminster as ministers scramble to promise greater transparency over previously withheld documents. The row is rapidly becoming a defining test of trust and accountability at the heart of government.Wake up with Talk Breakfast in full on YouTube, DAB+ radio, Freeview 280, Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus or the Talk App on your TV from 6am every morning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Mandelson failed vetting but the foreign office overruled the decision, apparently unbeknown to the Prime Minister. Covid vaccine victims payout should be doubled says inquiry and vegan dogs!

Today, the Prime Minister has denied knowing that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador until earlier this week. Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to resign over allegations he misled Parliament and MPs when he claimed "full due process" was followed during the appointment.It came after the Guardian newspaper reported, external that Lord Mandelson was initially denied security clearance in late January 2025 but this was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure the peer could take up the post.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Joe Wilkinson. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

President Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ten day ceasefire following "excellent conversations" with both the Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, and Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Also: Peter Mandelson, the former Labour peer, failed his security vetting clearance but the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office to ensure he could take up his post as ambassador to the US. And the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves says there has been a “very positive” start to the year for the economy.

In the magazine this week, Ben Judah – former adviser in the Foreign Office – makes the case for ‘Anglo-Gaullism'. He says that Britain should learn the lessons of France's Charles de Gaulle when carving out its place in the world, especially given the increasingly erratic nature of the US and the fragmentation of politics at home.In practice, Ben suggests that this would involve an Australian-style ranked-choice voting, injecting Whitehall with experts (in tech and AI), taking on the welfare system (including ending the pensions triple lock) and European geo-political co-operation which would limit reliance on the US. But would Anglo-Gaullism ever work in Britain? And is it still possible to produce a leader with the authority of de Gaulle to implement it?James Heale speaks to Ben Judah.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, has published a list of objectives setting out her vision for what the civil service will look like under her. Many have interpreted it as her tightening control over government ... especially since Darren Jones stepped back from his Downing Street role. The path is clear for her to become the Prime Minister's ‘principal policy adviser', and to reform the civil service ‘so that it is recognisable for excellence in delivery, innovation and improved productivity'.Is this all just word salad, or is she onto something?James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and former Foreign Office diplomat Ameer Kotecha.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.