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Definitive guide to Mandelson files: All filler, no killer?
Last month, Parliament demanded the government release the Mandelson files. What followed was five long weeks of waiting.
This week, the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, finally stepped up to announce their release. So, what’s inside? A total of 147 pages: 10 pages of contents and introduction, 28 entirely blank pages, 30 pages of standard HR guidance. All filler, no killer?
In this episode, we explain the release of the Mandelson files: who decides what gets buried or revealed in a document dump like this, why Peter Mandelson thought he deserved a £500,000 payout, and whether the most explosive revelations are still to come?
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Mandelson scandal: Timeline of key events
03:45 What are the Jeffrey Epstein files?
05:11 How are the Mandelson files different?
05:46 The role of the Metropolitan Police
07:03 Parliament’s role in Mandelson file release
07:40 Government’s decision to release the files
10:02 How did these files get put together?
11:05 What’s in the 147 pages?
13:38 Why are there no WhatsApp messages in the files?
16:30 What advice did Starmer receive on Mandelson appointment?
20:35 The due diligence report explained
21:50 “Procuring a young girl”: Inaccurate language in the files
26:30 The government’s ‘fact finding’ mission
29:01 Why this should not be a political decision
35:15 Why did Mandelson demand a payout?
36:30 Mandelson: a cat with nine lives?
39:11 Kemi Badenoch’s reaction
41:45 Why this leaves Starmer so exposed
Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page here.
This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios
Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
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