Sky News was forced to apologise on Wednesday morning after Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry dropped an F-bomb during a live parliamentary hearing. The incident occurred while Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, was questioning former top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins about the vetting process for Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the United States.
The Explosive Exchange
Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord was asking Robbins about messages allegedly sent to Sir Philip Barton, Robbins' predecessor, by then-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Foord referenced a Sky News report, stating that McSweeney 'rang Sir Philip, and said in terms stronger than those that I can use before the watershed…' Thornberry interjected, saying, 'I think you should.' Foord continued: 'Well, I'll just say it was "just approve it" with terms stronger than that.' The committee chair then delivered the direct quote: 'Just f***ing approve it.'
Live Broadcast Apology
News programmes broadcasting the hearing live rushed to apologise for the language at 10.07am. A Sky News presenter said: 'You're watching Sky News bringing you live testimony from Westminster. Apologies if any of the language there cause offence. This is a live evidence hearing at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. We are unable to govern the language used, but apologies again if you were offended by any of the subject matter just then.'
Robbins' Response
When asked if the message rang true, Robbins told the committee: 'Certainly, Philip's handover to me has contributed to my strong sense that there was an atmosphere of pressure and a certain dismissiveness about this DV (developed vetting) process.' He added that he did not remember Sir Philip 'using those words', saying: 'I'm proud to say Philip's probably not the sort of person to report them verbatim.'
Background on the Mandelson Controversy
Robbins was being questioned amid renewed controversy over Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US. The ex-Labour peer was sacked in September last year over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Last week, it emerged that the UK's vetting agency had recommended against granting Mandelson developed vetting, but the Foreign Office decided to give his appointment the green light anyway. Speaking to MPs on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted he would never have gone ahead with the decision if he had been told the agency's conclusion.
