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Welcome back to the Weekend Wire, your one stop shop for all the news from the week just gone.
And what a week it’s been, as the government’s already unexpected reshuffle had a last minute reopening of the transfer window and Labour’s search for a new deputy was punctuated by a drumbeat of appalling international news.
With your usual author enjoying a well earned break, I have the pleasure of being your guide through the wreckage. I promise we’ll end with something cheerful.
Let's get into it…
Scandalson Sacked
Another Weekend Wire, another high-profile loss for the Government. On Thursday it was confirmed that the prime minister had recalled Peter Mandelson as the UK’s top man in Washington after new revelations about his friendship with disgraced financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
His sacking comes after Epstein’s 50th birthday book was made public which, alongside a creepily cryptic doodle from Trump, included a syrupy homage to the sex offender from Mandelson which he signed off describing Epstein as his “best pal”.
For a short time it looked like Starmer was minded to stand by his Man-delson, expressing his confidence at PMQs, but this position became untenable when more leaks emerged, including an email of support from Mandelson to Epstein sent after his crimes became public.
The whole affair has been a gift to the government’s opponents including the leader of the opposition who had the most fun at PMQs that we can remember, and unfortunately for Starmer the sacking has not quelled the furore. With Trump's state visit next week and Mandelson himself warning worse is yet to emerge, this issue, with grim inevitability, will rumble on.
For more on what ammo remains for journalists, opponents of the government and even Labour insiders with an axe to grind - read our latest substack from former political editor of the Observer, Toby Helm who outlines the ten key questions levelled at Starmer.
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Horror in Utah
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Staying stateside and horrific scenes unfolded in the rural state of Utah when 31 year old right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated as he addressed a crowd on a university campus. For readers unfamiliar with his work, Kirk was an extremely influential figure within Trump’s MAGA movement leading their youth wing - Turning Point USA - and ranking consistently top of most trusted figures among Americans under-30 who voted for Trump.
Kirk rose to prominence spreading intolerance particularly towards Muslims and members of the LGBT+ community, and used his platform to perpetuate the kinds of dangerous conspiracy theories that incited the Capitol riots which left five people dead. Critics of Kirk were also quick to highlight his vocal support for the right to bear arms and that despite 40,000+ gun related deaths in the US annually, it is worth their sacrifice. It was reported that Kirk was debating the issue of gun violence right before he was shot dead.
Figures from across the political spectrum were united in condemning the inexcusable use of violence which has left Kirk's two young children without a father. However, some, including Boris Johnson, faced criticism for making assumptions around the motive of the killer while the suspect remained at large. In contrast to the universal condemnation for the assassination from Democratic leadership, many have highlighted previous instances where senior Republican figures have reacted with glee to the use of violence against their political opponents.
On Friday afternoon, US authorities confirmed that they have arrested a 22 year old suspected of the crime. Tyler Robinson was apprehended after reportedly confessing to a family member who then contacted police via an intermediary.
Then there were two
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The race to replace Rayner as deputy leader of the Labour Party really got underway this week. From a wide field of rumoured entrants the eventual number of confirmed candidates narrowed to five by Wednesday, and by close of play Thursday only two had secured the backing of the required 80 MPs to go through to face the membership who will cast their vote at the party conference at the end of September.
The two left standing are current Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, who just over a week ago, was still the leader of the House of Commons but was relieved of duty in Starmer's forced reshuffle. Having been close colleagues until last weekend, the race is not expected to be one filled with major points of difference, and most are anticipating a very polite campaign between the two. This won’t of course stop disgruntled members and unions, unhappy with the party’s poll ratings and policy positions, from trying to force a wedge between them on issues like constitutional reform, Gaza, and the impending Budget.
Hostile negotiations
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All-in-all, not a great week for international law. Alongside Trump's illegal execution of 11 people on a Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean, on Tuesday, Israel launched a missile strike on Qatar, in the hopes of killing senior Hamas figures.
Important to note here that Qatar is both a key US and European ally in the Middle East AND is hosting both Israeli and Hamas representatives in the hopes of reaching a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The strike in Doha killed a number of Palestinians although Hamas claims their negotiating team survived. A Qatari security guard was also killed along with any hope that these negotiations will continue. As of yet no action has been taken by the US or the UK in response to the strike although Keir Starmer said he raised it with the Israeli President who was in London on Wednesday.
Testing the defenses
On Tuesday night alarms were set off across Europe and flights were grounded as Polish jets scrambled to shoot down 19 Russian drones that entered their airspace.
Analysts remarked that the sheer number of drones makes clear that the incursion was no accident and in response Russia did not deny either that the drones were there, or that they intended them to be there, only that they were en route to Ukrainian targets.
The episode has cast new concerns over Putin's willingness to test NATO readiness and resolve with some also suggesting the move also aimed to deter nations closer to Russia from donating their own defence assets to Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister (and not-so-secret crush of Best for Britain’s CEO) Donald Tusk said - "This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two,"
On Thursday, Tusk confirmed that Poland was closing it’s eastern border and deploying 40,000 troops after Belarus and Russia began major joint military drills close to the Polish border which are expected to last until Tuesday.
Another one bites le dust
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As Albert Einstein never said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This week French President Emmanual Macron appointed his seventh prime minister and his 5th in the last two years. 24 hours after a vote of confidence ousted François Bayrou, on Tuesday Macron named close ally Sébastien Lecornu his next head of government. With his more recent appointments lasting months rather than years, chances are it won't be long until we‘re back here again as France’s fifth republic becomes increasingly ungovernable.
Public Service announcement
For anyone living in London we regret to inform you that later this morning the far right will be descending on the capital for a march starting at 11.30 around Southwark and heading towards Waterloo. The march has been deliberately coordinated to coincide with a couple of derby matches also happening in London, and with a counter protest organised by Stand up to Racism, things could be pretty combustible. The Met have certainly recognised the danger having drafted additional coppers from across the country in preparation for the worst and cancelling all annual leave. Stay safe out there, Londoners!
Cringe Column
Relatedly, if you’ve noticed a lot of St George’s crosses going up in your area, here’s a doughty patriot to reassure you that it’s probably a genuine expression of love of country and has almost certainly not been orchestrated by far right thugs.
Coup de prat
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I told you we’d end with something cheerful. On Thursday evening, Brazil’s Supreme Court voted in favour of convicting former President Jair Bolsonaro of an attempted coup following his election defeat in 2021 which was only foiled because he failed to secure sufficient support from the military. Previously known as the ‘Trump of the Tropics’, Bolsonaro now begins a 27 year prison sentence! *chef’s kiss*. Americans take note - this is how you do it.
And that’s your lot. As mentioned, next week we have Trump in town so it might be time to make like our MPs - who will conveniently be in recess - and make yourself scarce.
Have a great weekend!
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