Sacked civil servant to speak out in Mandelson vetting row

Sir Olly Robbins, the former permanent under secretary at the Foreign Office, is set to present his account to Parliament today following his dismissal last week by both the prime minister and the foreign secretary. His removal came after it emerged that he had not informed the prime minister that Lord Peter Mandelson had failed the vetting process required for the UK ambassadorial role in Washington.

Robbins, who had headed the Foreign Office since January 2025, is expected to explain the reasoning behind his decision not to disclose the vetting outcome to Sir Keir Starmer. Insiders say he is deeply affected by both the loss of his position and the intense personal criticisms directed at him. One close associate described Robbins’ character, saying: “Olly doesn’t do personal. He never has and he never will,” contrasting sharply with his current treatment.

In his forthcoming testimony, Sir Olly will likely provide the context for his original decision, emphasizing that Lord Mandelson’s appointment had already been publicly announced and that his understanding of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 prevented him from divulging the details of the UK Security Vetting results. However, the prime minister’s supporters dispute this interpretation, echoing Sir Keir’s position in the House of Commons that Robbins should have shared the information with ministers sooner.

The situation has also provoked anger from Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, who criticized Robbins for not revealing the vetting concerns when specifically questioned. A central issue for the committee is whether Sir Olly discussed his knowledge of the vetting with anyone else, and if so, what details he chose to communicate. The prime minister hopes Robbins’ evidence will reinforce claims that there were multiple chances for the information to be raised, but these opportunities were missed. Following this session, Parliament will hold another debate on the matter, initiated by the Conservative Party. One of Robbins’ allies reflected on the intense pressure he faces, stating: “That’s exactly how it feels.

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