Head of Civil Service Leaves Over Vetting Issue

The Head of the Foreign Office's civil service has resigned. This follows a controversy where Peter Mandelson was cleared for a US ambassador role despite failing security checks.
By Newsroom | UK Politics, Foreign Office |

The head of the Foreign Office's civil service, Olly Robbins, is leaving his post following revelations that Peter Mandelson was cleared for the US ambassador role despite failing security vetting. The decision comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reportedly lost confidence in Robbins. Security officials had recommended against clearing Mandelson, a process that was allegedly overruled by Foreign Office officials. David Lammy, who served as Foreign Secretary at the time of Mandelson's appointment, is also understood to have been unaware of the vetting concerns until after the story broke.

Questions Mount Over Prime Minister's Knowledge

The departure of Robbins intensifies scrutiny on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He maintains he was not informed of Mandelson's failed vetting until Tuesday of this week and therefore did not mislead MPs. However, opposition parties, including the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, are pressing for Starmer to be referred to parliament's Privileges Committee, alleging he misled the House of Commons. Starmer's decision not to raise the issue at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, the day after he learned of it, has been attributed to his seeking full details from the head of the civil service to ensure accuracy when addressing MPs.

Read More: Robbins Testimony Questions Starmer's Mandelson Choice

Official Facing Parliamentary Committee

Cat Little, the most senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, is scheduled to face the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Little reportedly informed the Prime Minister last week that Mandelson had been granted high-level security clearance, even though vetting officials had advised against it. Questions are expected to revolve around this decision and the process that allowed the vetting recommendation to be overruled.

Opposition Calls for Resignation

Multiple opposition parties have joined the calls for Prime Minister Starmer to resign. While Starmer has acknowledged making a "wrong call" in appointing Mandelson, he insists he would not have done so had he known about the failed vetting. Downing Street has defended the Prime Minister, stating that existing rules permit the Foreign Office to override vetting concerns without necessarily informing the Prime Minister directly.

The controversy centers on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. Mandelson, a prominent political figure, has faced renewed scrutiny due to past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. While Mandelson denies any wrongdoing, these links have amplified the public and political pressure surrounding his vetting and subsequent appointment. The Green Party and Reform UK have also called for Starmer's resignation over the matter.

Read More: Starmer Admits Fault for Mandelson Appointment After Vetting Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Olly Robbins leave his job as head of the Foreign Office's civil service?
Olly Robbins resigned after it was revealed that Peter Mandelson was cleared for the US ambassador role even though he failed security vetting. This decision reportedly led to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper losing confidence in Robbins.
Q: What was the issue with Peter Mandelson's security vetting?
Security officials advised against clearing Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador role. However, Foreign Office officials allegedly overruled this recommendation. This happened while David Lammy was Foreign Secretary.
Q: Is Prime Minister Keir Starmer involved in the controversy?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he only learned about Mandelson's failed vetting on Tuesday. Opposition parties want him investigated for possibly misleading Parliament. Starmer did not mention the issue at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
Q: Who else is facing questions about this issue?
Cat Little, the top civil servant at the Cabinet Office, will speak to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. She told the Prime Minister last week that Mandelson got security clearance despite vetting concerns.
Q: What is the background to Peter Mandelson's appointment and the controversy?
The controversy involves Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. His past links to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, have added to the scrutiny. Mandelson denies any wrongdoing.