Former Foreign Office Chief Criticizes Number 10's Handling of Mandelson Security Vetting
Sir Olly Robbins, the recently dismissed former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, has delivered explosive testimony to MPs, accusing Downing Street of displaying a "dismissive attitude" toward security vetting procedures for Lord Peter Mandelson. Robbins told the Foreign Affairs Committee that his team faced "constant pressure" to expedite clearance for Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, creating an atmosphere where denying the Washington DC posting would have been "very difficult."
Security Vetting Under Political Pressure
Robbins revealed that the initial communication from Number 10's private office emphasized completing all procedures "at pace" to ensure Mandelson was in position before President Trump's inauguration. Despite this political pressure, Robbins maintained that the Foreign Office completed developed vetting to the normal high standard. He was briefed that UKSV, the Cabinet Office's security branch, considered Mandelson a "borderline case" leaning toward denial, but the Foreign Office Security Department assessed identified risks as manageable through mitigation measures.
The former diplomat confirmed that Mandelson was given access to classified information before security vetting had concluded, a revelation that directly contradicts Prime Minister Keir Starmer's claims. Starmer told MPs he found it "incredible" that Mandelson did not pass security vetting and was subsequently kept uninformed about the details. "If I had been told that Mandelson had not been given clearance on security vetting, I would not have appointed him," Starmer asserted during parliamentary questioning.
Additional Revelations About Political Appointments
Robbins further disclosed that he was prohibited from discussing with Foreign Secretary David Lammy a request to find an ambassadorial role for Lord Matthew Doyle, Starmer's former communications director who received a peerage despite controversial associations. "I was under strict instructions not to discuss the matter with David Lammy," Robbins testified, expressing discomfort about identifying suitable diplomatic positions for Doyle given his lack of credentials compared to experienced career diplomats.
Lord Doyle's peerage award and subsequent suspension of the whip after revelations about his campaigning for a convicted sex offender add another layer to the growing controversy surrounding Starmer's appointments. Labour MPs including John McDonnell and Chris Hinchliff have criticized the Prime Minister for proceeding with Mandelson's appointment despite evident concerns.
Mounting Political Fallout and Continued Scrutiny
Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee and former shadow cabinet member under Starmer, questioned whether security considerations became "very much second order" with the priority being "getting Peter Mandelson the job." The controversy has attracted international attention, with former President Donald Trump calling Mandelson a "really bad pick" on his Truth Social platform.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband acknowledged raising concerns about the appointment while defending Starmer against resignation calls, noting he personally "steered well clear of Mandelson" during his own tenure as Labour leader. Further documents related to Mandelson's Washington ambassadorship are scheduled for release in coming months, potentially prompting the Intelligence and Security Committee to conduct a comprehensive Whitehall audit.
The security vetting process itself followed an unusual timeline, with a due diligence report based on publicly available information preceding a separate Cabinet Office security vetting that concluded after Mandelson had already assumed his diplomatic post. Former cabinet secretary Simon Case reportedly advised Starmer that security vetting should precede appointment, though the Prime Minister maintains his successor Sir Chris Wormald judged the process as proceeding normally.
