Sacked ex-Foreign Office head, Sir Olly Robbins, has revealed that pressure from No10 pushed for a quick appointment of Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador while showing a dismissive attitude towards his vetting process. This revelation came as a response to accusations by Keir Starmer that the Foreign Office kept him uninformed about concerns regarding Mandelson’s security clearance.
Robbins stated that upon assuming his position in January 2025, there was a sense of urgency to finalize Mandelson’s appointment, who had been announced as the PM’s choice in December 2024. He mentioned that doubts were raised by the Cabinet Office regarding the necessity of vetting Mandelson due to his status in the House of Lords and the Privy Council.
Furthermore, Sir Olly disclosed that he was instructed to secure a top diplomatic role for Matthew Doyle, the former spin chief, without informing the then Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. Doyle was eventually made a peer but later faced repercussions for his association with a convicted sex offender.
These revelations have increased pressure on Keir Starmer, who dismissed Sir Olly following the overruling of a recommendation from UK Security Vetting against granting Mandelson high-level clearance. The PM expressed frustration at being kept in the dark and stated that he would have reconsidered Mandelson’s appointment had he been aware of all the facts.
Despite claims by Kemi Badenoch and others that Starmer misled, Robbins clarified that he did not inform the Prime Minister or Downing Street about UKSV concerns. He emphasized the intense push to expedite Mandelson’s placement, citing a strong expectation set by No10 for a swift transition.
Robbins detailed frequent communication with No10 officials regarding Mandelson’s appointment, highlighting a persistent pursuit for speed rather than thorough evaluation. He noted that if Mandelson had been denied clearance, it would have posed significant challenges.
In response to queries from the committee, Sir Olly addressed a report alleging pressure from the PM’s aide to hasten approval. He acknowledged a sense of pressure and dismissiveness surrounding the vetting process but denied knowledge of any explicit directive to approve.
The former permanent secretary mentioned that Mandelson’s vetting was already underway upon his arrival, with due diligence checks completed by the Cabinet Office. Additionally, he disclosed being directed to conceal efforts to secure a significant role for Lord Doyle, raising concerns about transparency and competence.
Amid the ongoing controversy, the Government initiated a leak inquiry following reports on the Mandelson vetting issue. Sir Olly expressed deep concern over potential breaches of national security and urged thorough investigations and prosecution if necessary.
Despite the turmoil, Keir Starmer focused on chairing discussions regarding shielding Britain from the repercussions of the Iran conflict. The Government highlighted efforts to alleviate pressures within the UK, promote negotiation progress, ensure regional security, and safeguard British interests post-conflict.
