Running scared: Starmer ‘cancels’ PMQs to avoid Mandelson scrutiny
The Daily T
The Telegraph
4.1 • 702 Ratings
🗓️ 22 April 2026
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Labour is reportedly plotting for Prime Minister’s Questions to be cancelled next week, meaning Sir Keir Starmer will avoid further scrutiny over the Mandelson scandal.
Camilla and Tim react to party whips' “dodgy” manoeuvres and unpack this afternoon’s exchange between Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir, in which the PM admitted he had pushed for a plum ambassadorial role for Lord Doyle, his disgraced former communications chief.
Plus, they ask whether the Cabinet is turning against the Prime Minister – after a circumspect broadcast round from usually loyal Pat McFadden – as the first Labour MP calls on him to resign.
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Producers: Lilian Fawcett
Senior Producer: John Cadigan
Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman
Video Producer: Will Walters
Studio Operator: Meghan Searle
Editor: Camilla Tominey
Highlights
- Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley react to reports next week's PMQs will be cancelled
- As Keir Starmer admits he pushed for an ambassador role for his disgraced comms chief Matthew Doyle
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Telegraph. |
| 0:09.8 | Has Keir Stama cancelled next week's Prime Minister's questions in a bit to avoid scrutiny for his appointment of the notorious Peter Mandelson? |
| 0:20.0 | We unpacked today's exchange between the PM and Kemi Badock, |
| 0:23.7 | which saw Stama admit he'd lobbied for a plum job |
| 0:26.7 | for his disgraced former comms chief, Matthew Doyle. |
| 0:30.3 | Welcome to The Daily Tea with me, Tim Stanley. |
| 0:32.4 | And me, Camilla Tominy. |
| 0:40.3 | Yeah. Tim Stanley. Tim Stanley, we're getting on to PMQs in just a minute. |
| 0:47.1 | You've just hot-fitted it back from Parliament. |
| 0:49.4 | But what a week to be going on the road next week. |
| 0:51.9 | We are on the road, starting on Monday in London, where we are going to have a special |
| 0:58.1 | sort of question time non-trademark special. |
| 1:00.8 | Yes. |
| 1:01.5 | Where we are going to be joined by Zia Yusuf of Reform. |
| 1:05.4 | Yes. |
| 1:06.6 | James Cleverly of the Tories. |
| 1:09.5 | And Rachel Reeves' right-hand man from Labour, James Murray. |
| 1:14.4 | Exciting. |
| 1:15.0 | Should be a good ding-dog. |
| 1:16.0 | Are you going to be Fiona Bruce? |
| 1:17.6 | And I'm going to be David Dimbleby. |
| 1:19.5 | Why if you swap the gender? |
... |
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