Sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins says No.10 took a “dismissive” approach to Peter Mandelson’s vetting - so where does this now leave Keir Starmer?
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ollie Cole, Charlotte Ivers and Patrick Kidd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Judgement Day For Starmer
20/04/2026 | 34 mins.
Keir Starmer will blame the civil service for the vetting failures behind Peter Mandelson's appointment - but will his defence stand up to scrutiny?
Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starmer's Mandelson Crisis Deepens
17/04/2026 | 29 mins.
Keir Starmer says he's 'furious' he wasn't told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before his appointment as US ambassador. Just how much trouble is the prime minister in?
Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Alys Denby and Michael Binyon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is The UK Ready For Shortages
16/04/2026 | 31 mins.
A top-level crisis drill inside government - “Exercise Turnstone” - has been testing what happens if the conflict in Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. So how ready is Britain for possible food shortages?
Hugo Rifkind Unpacks the politics of the day with Josh Glancy and Daisy McAndrew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PMQs: Defending The Undefendable
15/04/2026 | 44 mins.
Kemi Badenoch criticises the government for failing to publish its plan for defence spending, but Starmer says the Tories hollowed out the budget, and gets told off by the Speaker for failing to answer the question.
Hugo unpacks PMQs with Patrick Maguire and the comedian Andrew Maxwell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hugo Rifkind unpacks the the politics of the day - and the stuff that's even more important - with the brightest brains from the Times and Sunday Times.You can listen to Hugo on DAB, smart speaker or app 10am-1pm Monday to Friday. If you like what you hear, then read more at http://www.thetimes.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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