Starmer vs Robbins: Why the Mandelson row keeps getting worse

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

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Starmer vs Robbins: Why the Mandelson row keeps getting worse is an episode from INSIDE BRIEFING with Institute for Government by Institute for Government.

This episode is 42:29 long.

This episode was published on Apr 23, 2026.

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