Starmer's US Ambassador Scandal: Trust & Judgment in Question

0:00It's April 20, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Calgary News Today. Local news powered by AI. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under fire after his government appointed Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the United States even, though he failed a key security check. Officials cleared him anyway back in January 2025 against expert advice and he started the job in February. Starmer says he and his ministers were never told about the failed vetting, calling the whole thing staggering. Mandelson's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein have fueled the outrage, with claims he shared sensitive info back in 2009. Starmer apologized to Epstein's victims and admitted the pick was a mistake. Opponents are piling on, accusing Starmer of lying or straight up incompetence. Conservative leader Kemi Badanak called it a shaming affair that hurts UK U.S. ties and national security. Old Democrat boss Ed Davie labeled it catastrophic misjudgment, while some in his own party defend

1:01him leading into the next election. In response, a top foreign office official, Ali Robbins, got sacked and Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down over his role in the appointment. Starmer ordered reviews into security vetting processes and any concerns from Mandelson's short tenure. This scandal is hitting Starmer hard just months after his big election win, sinking his popularity further as questions swirl about trust, and judgment in high places.