Keir Starmer has sacked the Foreign Office’s top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins after it emerged officials had overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security clearance
Keir Starmer has sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are understood to have lost confidence in the top mandarin, who will leave his post. It comes after the bombshell revelation that Lord Mandelson was made US ambassador despite failing his security vetting.
Sir Olly was the top civil servant at the Foreign Office when the decision was made to overrule advice from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) so he could take the plum job.
No10 insisted that the Prime Minister was not informed that the Labour grandee was initially denied clearance. Mr Starmer ordered an urgent probe into why Lord Mandelson’s vetting was approved as he faced questions over whether he misled MPs and Parliament when he said the rules had been followed.
The Foreign Office earlier said it is “working urgently” to comply with the demand.
READ MORE: Government ADMITS Mandelson failed security vetting – but says Starmer not aware
Mr Starmer has been under intense pressure for months over his decision to name Lord Mandelson as the UK’s man in Washington last year. The controversial former Labour grandee, who served under Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, was tasked with helping the PM navigate his relationship with erratic US President Donald Trump.
But he was sacked in September – only seven months later – when new emails came to light revealing the depth of his relationship with Epstein.
A Government spokesman said no ministers were aware that Lord Mandelson was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after developed vetting, a top-secret background check conducted by security officials.
No10 pointed the finger at the Foreign Office, saying: “The security vetting process for Peter Mandelson was sponsored by the FCDO. The decision to grant Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting was taken by officials in the FCDO.
“Neither the Prime Minister, nor any Government Minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted Developed Vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week.
“Once the Prime Minister was informed he immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the Developed Vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.” It is expected that he will update MPs next week.
An FCDO spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has initiated a process to establish the facts of the granting of developed vetting and we are working urgently to comply with that process.”
The Mirror understands that deputy PM Mr Lammy, who is now Justice Secretary, only found out on Thursday.
