Coffee House Shots Starmer should be honest about why he picked Mandelson
Mar 11, 2026
Isabel Hardman, political journalist and Spectator commentator, and Tim Shipman, Westminster reporter known for deep political coverage, dig into newly released vetting papers. They unpack rushed checks, Jonathan Powell’s concerns, Mandelson’s payout demand and how that shapes political attacks. They also reflect on recent PMQs and partisan posturing.
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Vetting Showed Risky But Not Disqualifying Evidence
- The Mandelson appointment carried known reputational risks but no single 'killer fact' emerged in the released vetting documents.
- Tim Shipman notes the two‑page vetting was a 'cuts job' that rehashed public material and reinforced rather than changed the prior risk assessment.
Rushed Vetting Left Issues Unresolved
- The review process was rushed and incomplete, according to Jonathan Powell, which left issues 'addressed' but unresolved.
- Shipman highlights Powell's surprise he hadn't sat in a meeting, signalling cursory vetting in Downing Street.
Admit The Political Calculation Behind Appointments
- Be transparent about decision rationale when appointing controversial figures to avoid credibility gaps later.
- Shipman argues Starmer should admit he knew risks but judged Mandelson worth the gamble as a political operator.