<p>The fallout from the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador isn’t going away. But it’s far from his only controversial hire.</p><br><p>Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former No. 10 special advisor, analyse Downing Street's hiring and firing crisis.</p><br><p>They explain how hiding behind "process" is actively damaging Starmer’s ability to lead with integrity, asking the questions Number 10 won't answer: How exactly did Mandelson clear vetting? How did Matthew Doyle - Starmer’s former Director of Communications - fly under the radar despite ties to a convicted pedophile? And why on earth is the Minister for Inquiries now the subject of an inquiry?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Cover image: PA</p><p>Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page <a href="https://instagram.com/intheroom.pod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><br><p>This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios</p><br><p>Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose</p><p>Producer: Sam Durham</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>