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A fiery row erupted on Sky News as two guests clashed over the Peter Mandelson scandal. Reporter Mark Austin and Reform MP Lee Anderson appeared on the channel as they discussed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's actions surrounding the disgraced politician.

The heated debate began as Anderson accused Starmer of lying over the Peter Mandelson US ambassador appointment. However, Austin hit back as he asked: "What evidence do you have that the Prime Minister lied?" Anderson replied to say that his inbox is "absolutely full of people furious at the Prime Minister". He said: "They said he is lying and misleading the British public and parliament." But Austin hit back as he asked: "What evidence do you have? He's saying he didn't know Mandelson failed vetting because the Foreign Office didn't tell him." Anderson responded: "It's absolute nonsense! The buck stops with the Prime Minister. If people aren't telling him, then he's in the wrong job. He's the leader of this country. I don't believe a word he's been saying and neither does his backbenches."

He went on: "He's always blaming somebody else for his own mistakes. I think he's covering up. It doesn't take a genius to work out that Peter Mandelson is a wrong un."

Austin then pointed out that Mandelson was subsequently given clearance so "why would Starmer ask?" But Anderson once again slammed the whole thing as "absolute nonsense". He added: "It's a cover up from start to finish."

However, the reporter kept pushing as he quizzed: "You can accuse him of a lack of curiosity or judgment, but I'm not hearing any real evidence that he lied?"

Anderson angrily shot back: "I'm not interested in what you've got to say! This man is not fit for office and he needs to resign!"

It comes as Starmer's future will come under even more pressure today as a former Foreign Office chief gives his side in the Peter Mandelson scandal.

The Prime Minister fired the Foreign Office's top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, after finding out last week that Lord Mandelson's vetting status had been granted despite failing the UKSV check.