Can Starmer survive the Mandelson scandal?
Electoral Dysfunction
Sky News
4.4 • 764 Ratings
🗓️ 6 February 2026
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Keir Starmer is fighting for his career amid one of the biggest political scandals of the century. Harriet thinks the prime minister could be brought down after he appointed Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador, despite knowing about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
So can Starmer find the strength to turn a corner, reset his whole team and admit he was wrong? Or is it too late? Harriet thinks his tone this week made him look "gullible and naive".
And what does the whole fiasco say about politics and the establishment as a whole? Beth, Ruth and Harriet explain how Peter Mandelson created a network of people he relied upon in politics and the media.
Peter Mandelson denies any wrongdoing and has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
You can WhatsApp the podcast at 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.
And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.
Transcript
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| 1:02.4 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 1:17.1 | Hello and welcome to Electoral Dysfunction with me, Beth Rigby. |
| 1:18.2 | Me Ruth Davidson. |
| 1:19.9 | And me, Harriet Harmon. |
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