Saturday Night Live UK aired a scathing political parody on Monday, mocking Sir Keir Starmer's controversial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States. The sketch, titled “Who Wants To Remain A Millionaire,” targeted the prime minister after revelations that Mandelson had failed the standard vetting process for the role.
Sketch Details
The parody featured Al Nash as Jeremy Clarkson, who played the game show host, and George Fouracres reprising his role as a bumbling Keir Starmer. In the sketch, Starmer was presented with the question: “Is it ever a good idea to give Peter Mandelson a job?” Multiple-choice answers overwhelmingly indicated “No.” Despite using lifelines and audience advice, Starmer ultimately chose 'Yes' as his final answer. When revealed to be wrong, he suggested he might make the same decision again, drawing laughter from the audience.
Mandelson Depicted as Bond Villain
The sketch also featured Larry Dean as Peter Mandelson, depicted as a 'paedophile-adjacent Bond villain' in a white robe, referencing photographs found in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The parody touched upon the sacking of civil servant Olly Robbins over the vetting failure, adding to the criticism of the appointment.
Reaction and Context
The appointment of Mandelson, a veteran Labour figure, has been widely criticized due to his past controversies and the vetting issues. The SNL UK sketch amplifies public and media scrutiny, highlighting the political fallout. The episode also included other sketches, including one mocking Donald Trump, but the Starmer-Mandelson segment drew significant attention.
