Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused sacked top official Olly Robbins of deliberately and repeatedly obstructing the truth regarding the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. This accusation comes ahead of a high-stakes appearance by Robbins before MPs on Tuesday.
A Fundamental Mistake in Appointment
Starmer has admitted that his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the ambassador to Washington was a fundamental mistake. This admission follows the revelation that Mandelson had failed security vetting.
In a sombre address to parliament, the prime Minister insisted that the Foreign Office is to blame. He described the decision not to brief Downing Street about the vetting advice as “staggering” and “incredible.”
Breakdown of the Vetting Process
It has emerged that Robbins, the most senior official at the Foreign Office before his sacking, did not inform his boss, Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald, about the vetting failure. This occurred even while Wormald was conducting a review of the process last September.
Robbins reportedly did not notify any other No 10 official or aide. As a result of these events, the Foreign Office has now been stripped of its power to overturn such vetting decisions.
Security Implications and Investigations
Starmer has ordered an investigation into potential security concerns and leaks during Mandelson’s tenure in the diplomatic role. The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is currently assessing vetting information, including details of Mandelson’s financial, business, and personal dealings.
Lord Beamish, chair of the ISC, has requested documents regarding the Foreign Office’s decision-making process. This follows claims from the Cabinet Office that such documents did not exist.
Political Fallout in Westminster
Labour MP Emily Thornberry has suggested that security was a “secondary consideration” for Downing Street. She questioned whether getting Mandelson the job was a priority that overrode other concerns.
While some Labour MPs believe Starmer was kept in the dark, others have expressed skepticism regarding his remorse. Some MPs highlighted the “grotesque” nature of suggested questions from whips that invoked victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
What May Happen Next
Olly Robbins is expected to appear before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. He may argue that he was following established practice and that disclosing the vetting information could have broken the law.
The ISC is likely to push for further information, which could include meeting minutes and an audit trail of who knew about the vetting decision and when. Some sources suggest this scandal could lead to long-term toxic relations between the government and the Foreign Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Olly Robbins sacked?
Robbins was the most senior official at the Foreign Office and is accused by Keir Starmer of deliberately and repeatedly obstructing the truth about Peter Mandelson’s failed security vetting.
What was the UKVS recommendation regarding Peter Mandelson?
The United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKVS) recommended that Mandelson fail his security vetting, a decision that was overturned by Olly Robbins 24 hours later.
Did anyone warn the Prime Minister before the appointment?
Simon Case, a predecessor to Chris Wormald, had advised Keir Starmer to complete Mandelson’s security vetting before the appointment was made, but this advice was ignored.
Do you believe the responsibility for security failures lies with the officials who manage the process or the ministers who make the final appointments?
