Andrew Pierce

Yet more embarrassment for the Prime Minister over his close links to wealthy peers. Lord Mandelson, one of Keir Starmer 's key advisers, is under investigation by the lobbying regulator.

It seems that Rachel Reeves can't even convince her most diehard supporters of the merits of the ruinous £40 billion tax raid, including pressure group Labour In The City which has remained silent.

NEW EPISODE: Sarah and Andrew speak to the Mail's White House correspondent who's seen both Democratic and Republican governments rise and fall. Plus, can Kemi save the Tories?

With Rishi Sunak compiling his resignation honours list, Westminster is full of rumours that he will give peerages to two of his most trusted allies, a move that would trigger by-elections in months.

Previous British governments have insisted the matter was for the British Museum, where the marbles have pride of place and which is chaired by former Chancellor George Osborne .

Getty Images Surely charity is about helping others, not massaging your own ego? Ed Sheeran's boycott of Band Aid is yet another example of putting virtue-signalling above doing actual good.

Mandelson inevitably has powerful friends arguing his case. They include Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, who more than any will have the ear of the Prime Minister

John Gummer, a former Tory environment secretary who once fed his daughter a burger to prove beef was safe, is supporting a move by a Green peer to force clubs to offer vegan fare.

One message on the telephone made Candy smile in particular. It was from Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a key adviser to President-elect Donald Trump.

Philip Normal, former mayor of Lambeth and husband of Matthew Doyle, the powerful head of communications in 10 Downing Street, is cashing in on the Gregg Wallace controversy.