Pressure mounts on Starmer over Mandelson's U.S. envoy appointment

Former foreign ministry official Olly Robbins testifies that Starmer's office pressured officials to fast-track Peter Mandelson's appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, intensifying a months-long row over the choice. Starmer says he blamed officials for not flagging vetting concerns, while Robbins describes constant pressure and Downing Street involvement, raising new questions ahead of local elections.