Robbins to Mount Defence Over Mandelson Vetting Controversy
Sir Olly Robbins is poised to launch a robust defence of his decision to approve Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, following his dismissal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The head of the Foreign Office was sacked on Thursday night after Mandelson failed his security vetting, with Starmer labelling the oversight "unforgivable."
Allies Accuse Starmer of Scapegoating
Friends and allies of Robbins have claimed he was "thrown under the bus" by the government, arguing he did "nothing wrong" in handling the vetting process. According to reports in The Times, Robbins will present his case before the foreign affairs select committee on Tuesday, challenging accusations of misconduct.
One ally stated that Starmer placed Robbins in an invidious position by announcing Mandelson's appointment before security checks were completed. Another revealed Robbins was furious about his treatment and plans to tell MPs that informing the prime minister of the initial vetting failure would have breached his civil service obligations.
Lord McDonald's Strong Criticism
Lord Simon McDonald, former permanent secretary in the Foreign Office, echoed the "thrown under the bus" sentiment, describing Robbins as a "scalp" for Number 10. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that this represents the biggest crisis in the diplomatic service since 1982, criticizing the lack of due process and fairness in Robbins' dismissal.
McDonald also questioned the characterization of Mandelson's vetting as a "failure," suggesting the process involved "hesitations" and "imperfections" rather than outright failure. He emphasized the urgent need for a new Foreign Office head to address the diplomatic fallout.
Counter-Allegations and Political Fallout
Meanwhile, other senior civil servants have accused Robbins of attempting to suppress documents showing he overruled advice from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) to approve Mandelson's appointment. Downing Street released documents indicating civil servants discussed whether Starmer was "incorrectly" assured about the vetting, potentially leading him to "inadvertently" mislead parliament.
Starmer has committed to appearing before MPs on Monday to provide "full transparency" and "accountability," pledging to present all relevant facts. However, Kemi Badenoch challenged the narrative, questioning whether Downing Street officials knew about the vetting failure but didn't inform Starmer, suggesting a lack of control in the prime minister's office.
The controversy has sparked questions from Labour MPs, who confronted Starmer last Wednesday after learning of the vetting issues. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the government and civil service, with significant implications for diplomatic appointments and security protocols.
