Keir Starmer is under fresh pressure over his controversial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.

Explosive testimony from sacked top Foreign Office official Olly Robbins has revealed there was “constant pressure” from Number 10 to push the appointment through - raising serious questions about how the decision was made.

On Talking Politics, Tom and Robert break down Robbins’ appearance at the Foreign Affairs Committee - and why the decision to sack him seems to have backfired on Starmer.

Was Olly Robbins made a scapegoat? And could this scandal rival the scale of Partygate?

Listen to this week’s episode to find out.

Donald Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is underway but how long can it last, and have the Americans backed themselves into a corner?

On Talking Politics, Tom and Robert examine why the blockade could become a “slow and painful” strategy.

They also break down the latest “depressing” forecasts for economic growth from the International Monetary Fund, a major blow to the UK economic outlook.

And with fresh warnings from former Labour Defence Secretary and ex-NATO chief Lord Robertson that Britain’s security is “in peril,” Tom and Robert discuss how Sir Keir Starmer should respond.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told ITV News' Talking Politics podcast that Israel is "wrong" to continue its strikes on Lebanon amid a ceasefire with Iran, saying it "should stop" as a "matter of principle".

The exclusive interview with ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston is the prime minister's first since the establishment of a fragile two-week ceasefire deal made between the US and Iran.

A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran has brought a moment of relief, but how stable is this fragile truce - and what comes next? In this week’s episode of Talking Politics,

Robert joins Tom from Saudi Arabia where he’s travelling in the region with the PM ahead of an exclusive interview.

Tom and Robert break down how Trump has been left humiliated by the deal, and discuss whether world leaders think the President has ‘lost his marbles’.

Plus, they ask if the war signifies the end of Nato, or whether it’s just a bump in the road for the alliance.

Rachel Reeves has vowed to support “those who need it most” if energy bills surge amid the Iran war - but is she already “boxed in”?

In this week’s Talking Politics, Tom and Robert break down the Chancellor’s options and why Rachel Reeves is determined not to repeat the mistakes of Liz Truss.

Could this spiral into a crisis on the scale of 2008? Robert gives his predictions for the long-term economic fallout of the conflict.

Plus: why large bets placed just before Donald Trump’s peace talks announcement on Monday have triggered accusations of insider trading.

Trump has ramped up attacks on Starmer, blasting his handling of the Iran war and claiming the special relationship was good "until Keir came along."

On this week’s episode of Talking Politics, Tom and Robert discuss whether the UK–US partnership can survive - and how much Trump’s broadsides really matter.

Starmer says he doesn’t want to get drawn into the “wider” war, but how long can that position hold?

Tom and Robert are also joined by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, to discuss the Iran war, why Canada is prioritising new alliances beyond the US, and whether the UK should cancel the King’s state visit to America.

The Mandelson files are out - and they raise serious questions. The new documents show Starmer was warned of a “general reputational risk” linked to Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador.

In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack the key revelations, ask whether Starmer can recover politically, and explore why Mandelson asked for a £500,000 payout after he was sacked And Robert reveals why reading the files made him feel like his head was exploding...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the government has 'restored economic stability' despite downgraded growth forecasts for 2026, whilst the US-Israel war with Iran means narrow improvements in the economy revealed in her spring statement are likely to be overturned.

On Talking Politics, UK Editor Paul Brand and Political Editor Robert Peston discuss what it means for energy prices, interest rates and economic growth - and whether the UK can afford to become further involved in the conflict.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will allow the US to use British bases for 'defensive' strikes on Iranian missile sites, but says the UK government 'will not join offensive action now'.

Donald Trump says he’s ’very disappointed’ in Starmer and condemned the delay in making that decision.

So is the UK at war with Iran and what does it mean for the UK-US special relationship?

On this episode of Talking Politics Robert speaks to Julie Etchingham who is in Erbil, northern Iraq, about the escalating war in the Middle East and what it means for Starmer.

Shockwaves are surging through British politics after a dramatic by-election in Gorton and Denton. In this episode of Talking Politics, Robert and Tom unpack what the Greens’ victory means for Labour - was Starmer “nuts” for not taking the left-wing party more seriously? And will he have to step down? With cries of dodgy practices and unfair treatment, they also discuss ‘family voting’ and whether it was an issue in the contest.