The Peter Mandelson scandal: What are the lessons for Keir Starmer's government?

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

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The Peter Mandelson scandal: What are the lessons for Keir Starmer's government? is an episode from INSIDE BRIEFING with Institute for Government by Institute for Government.

This episode is 41:30 long.

This episode was published on Apr 22, 2026.

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