PoliticsJOE Podcast

The Independent's Political Editor David Maddox came by the JOE studios to break down his story revealing the depth and breadth of the Peter Mandelson vetting fiasco.Andy and David break down who knew what when, the consequences for the Prime Minister, and what it says about the credibility of his offering to the British people in 2024 of a government of honest operators working in the best interests of the nation.

After bombshells were dropped in sacked civil servant Olly Robbins’ Select Committee appearance yesterday, Kemi Badenoch has kept up pressure on the Prime Minister as the Mandelson scandal grows. Laura and Andy react to the clash at the despatch box, and unpack what the ensuing discourse will mean for Starmer’s hopes of staying in post.

The recently sacked Olly Robbins was called before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee this morning where he outlined what he knew and when during the appointment of Peter Mandelson to Washington. Ava and Andy spell out what his answers mean for the Prime Minister and his chances of hanging on.

The latest Peter Mandelson revelations are still looming large over the Prime Minister despite the sacking of Olly Robins, and Starmer maintains that he wasn't told until Tuesday that Mandelson wasn't granted the highest level of clearance. Ava, Seán, and Andy unpack the discourse.

Stephen Kapos is an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and joins us to speak about his activism, his opposition to Israel's systemic destruction of Gaza and the West Bank, and how the memory of the Holocaust is being abused by Israel and the far-right.

PoliticsJOE is joined by the UK's former permanent representative to Nato, Sir Adam Thomson, and former Navy Commander Kevin Rowlands to discuss the state of the UK's Armed Forces.

Keir Starmer was back at the despatch box after the Easter break facing questions over Lord Robertson's defence review, warning the government's complacency has left the UK in a perilous situation.

Ava is joined once again by friend of PoliticsJOE Sam Bright to break down the latest news from the continent, after Hungary's quasi dictator Viktor Orbán was toppled in a landslide on Sunday night.Péter Magyar absolutely hammered Orbán's Fidesz party on Sunday night, ending 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán.Sam breaks down the victory for Magyar and what the opposition leader stands for. He also delves into the consequences for right-wing movements across Europe, as Orbán's close alignment with the Trump regime was tipped as a key reason for his downfall.

Andy and Seán take to the poljoe dungeon to recap the Sunday shows, where America's most prominent right-wing pundit went on the BBC, and ended up coming across competent, in no small part due to the government's Palestine Action ban.