Former Top Diplomat Calls for Reinstatement of Sacked Civil Servant
Simon McDonald, the former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office from 2015 to 2020, has issued a stark warning to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, declaring that the leader made a significant error in dismissing Olly Robbins over the security vetting controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson. McDonald, now a crossbench peer, insists that Robbins should be immediately reinstated as permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office for the greater good of the United Kingdom.
The Controversial Decision and Its Aftermath
Last Thursday, following a Guardian report that revealed Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting, Prime Minister Starmer and the foreign secretary announced they had lost confidence in Olly Robbins, forcing his resignation. The report indicated that UK Security Vetting (UKSV), a department within the Cabinet Office, had recommended denying Mandelson clearance due to overall "high concern," but Robbins, as permanent undersecretary, overruled this recommendation.
McDonald asserts that had Starmer initially heard Robbins' full account, he would not have taken such drastic action. The prime minister has since doubled down on his position, telling the House of Commons that if he had known Mandelson "failed" his vetting, he would not have allowed the posting to Washington to proceed.
Robbins' Testimony and the Nature of Security Vetting
In a recent session before the foreign affairs select committee, Olly Robbins provided a detailed and forensic account of the events. He explained that security vetting is an art rather than a science, with the sole objective of protecting national security. Robbins clarified that decisions are based on judgment about whether vulnerabilities can be mitigated, not simply following a template.
Three key points emerged from Robbins' testimony. First, by the time Robbins assumed his role on January 20, 2025, Mandelson's posting to Washington was already irreversible—publicly announced, approved by the king, and agreed upon by the White House. Second, Robbins stated that UKSV considered Mandelson a "borderline" case leaning toward denial, but after discussion and with mitigations in place, clearance was granted—nothing was overturned. Third, the vetting process is confidential, with ministers only needing to know the result, similar to medical clearance procedures.
The Urgent Need for Reinstatement
McDonald emphasizes that Robbins performed his duties diligently, aware of pressure from Downing Street but not yielding to it. He argues that misunderstanding about Robbins' responsibilities led the prime minister to rush to a wrong judgment. With simultaneous crises unfolding in Ukraine, the Middle East, and transatlantic relations, Britain cannot afford a leadership gap at the Foreign Office.
The former permanent secretary concludes that the government should immediately reinstate Robbins, whose thoughtfulness and professionalism were clearly demonstrated during the committee hearing. McDonald believes that had Starmer waited until after Robbins' testimony, the dismissal would never have occurred.
