Trivial pursuit
Chris Mason
, Issue 1674
3 February: Police have launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson and his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Mason has somehow acquired some insights. "Lord Mandelson has not commented publicly. I understand he maintains that he has not acted criminally, did not act for personal gain and will cooperate with the police. I am told he argues that while confronting, in the late Noughties, the biggest financial crisis since the 1930s, he sought Epstein's expertise in the national interest."
5 Feb: More on Mandelson and his appointment as ambassador. "I also hear, incidentally, that the vetting process was 'rushed' and 'slapdash'." Hang on, that sounds like it might be important – oh no, he's saying something else now: "In other words, this was a time bomb waiting to go off... Bluntly, Sir Keir Starmer can ill afford any more days like these."
10 Feb: Starmer has defied a call to resign from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. "The prime minister has had a political near-death experience – and survived, for now at least. At various points, he looked like he might be done for and imminently." What can we conclude? "The story of the consequences of recent days is far from over."
12 Feb: Twin storms rage over Keir Starmer's appointments of pals-of-paedos Mandelson and Matthew Doyle. "As for the prime minister, he must be mighty glad the half-term break is now imminent and parliament will be in recess for a week. He could no doubt use a firebreak from the recent political heat."
1 March: The US and Israel have declared war on Iran. "In short, after an extraordinarily turbulent start to 2026 – militarily and diplomatically on the international stage (think Venezuela and Greenland, for instance) and domestically for the government (the Epstein files and Lord Mandelson, plus that moment of intense political vulnerability for the prime minister) – this is perhaps the biggest moment yet, with huge and not entirely knowable potential consequences."
10 March: Bills are shooting up as a result of the war. "One of the standout issues of our time, the cost of living, is catapulted centre stage yet again, with every prospect of grim consequences for many... Let us see how things play out in the coming days and weeks."
11 March: "This first digital document drop about prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington is interesting, but not explosive." Don't worry, though, Chris is still mysteriously "understanding" things. "It is my understanding that Lord Mandelson remains of the view that he did not lie to the prime minister, does not recall being asked questions about Epstein face to face during vetting interviews and answered written questions about his contact with the sex offender after his conviction truthfully and fully." One thing we can be sure of: "It is far from over yet."
18 March: Angela Rayner has made a speech critical of Keir Starmer. The latest from Chris: "Invited to comment on Rayner's remarks to Tuesday night's gathering, Downing Street politely declined. With Prime Minister's Questions a few hours away, those invitations to comment may only just be beginning."
17 April: "The prime minister's decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington is like a horror film for Sir Keir Starmer, stuck on repeat." Don't you hate it when that happens?
20 April: "I occasionally like to kid myself that after 20-plus years of reporting from Westminster, I can't be entirely surprised any more." Guess what? He has been! "The Guardian's revelations about Lord Mandelson, his vetting and the removal of the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins... all prompted a one-word question from many of us: how?" So what next? "There are so many questions – and an awkward few hours ahead for the prime minister." (One thing's for certain – this is over. Ed.)
Next issue on sale: 14th May 2026
More top stories in the latest issue:
TURKEY SHOOT
The Telegraph recently reported: "Erdo?an threatens to invade Israel." Oops! The quotes from Turkey's leader were from 2024, way before the current crisis.
CHRISTIAN VALUE
The Daily Mail's political team are uneasy over new arrival Christian Calgie – but what worries them is not his racist posting on social media, but his job title!
BETTER DAYS
The Sun's campaign against the introduction of "gambling affordability checks" has stepped up a level – which is no surprise, given its own skin in the game.
SPINNING TYRES
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander's office gave the Sun a pothole tale in an attempt to shame a Liberal Democrat council, but the plan backfired.
THE BRADY BUNCH
The Times went bigger than most sport sections on Baroness (Karren) Brady leaving West Ham United as vice-chair. Why might that be…?
SHAMED FAITHED
The Telegraph raged at landlords "advertising for 'Muslim only' tenants" in breach of the Equality Act 2010 – but it wasn't always keen on use of the act.
BROS BEFORE PROSE
Tech bro Peter Thiel has his sights set on using AI to "improve" journalism, pledging seed funding to a start-up that calls itself "the AI Tribunal of Truth".
