Foreign Office Top Civil Servant Exits After Lord Mandelson Vetting Failure Concealed From PM

Sir Olly Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, has been removed from his post after the department failed to inform the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, that Lord Mandelson had not received security clearance for the UK’s ambassadorial role in the United States. This development follows a media investigation revealing the vetting failure, leading to a loss of confidence in Sir Olly from both Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Mandelson Appointment and Subsequent Removal

Lord Mandelson was publicly named as the US ambassador in December 2024, prior to the completion of comprehensive vetting procedures, and formally commenced his duties on 10 February 2025. Seven months later, he was dismissed due to his connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

On Thursday, the government confirmed that the Foreign Office had disregarded the recommendation from the Cabinet Office’s security vetting agency, UK Security Vetting, and permitted Lord Mandelson to assume the position. Sir Olly’s departure was announced later that evening.

Parliamentary Scrutiny and Accusations

Dame Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has summoned Sir Olly to give evidence next Tuesday, marking his second appearance before the committee regarding the Mandelson affair. Dame Emily questioned whether the decision to override the vetting was Sir Olly’s own initiative or if he acted under direction from higher authority.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, accused Sir Keir and his ministers of