Senior Diplomat Grilled Over Mandelson Security Clearance Fiasco
Sir Olly Robbins, the senior Foreign Office official removed from his post after revelations concerning Peter Mandelson's security clearance, is expected to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. MPs will question Sir Olly regarding the process that led to the ex-US ambassador receiving clearance, despite significant red flags raised during the vetting procedure.
This appearance compounds the political difficulties for Sir Keir Starmer, who is also scheduled to address the Commons on Monday regarding the same issue. The controversy centres on whether Downing Street was informed of the vetting concerns and why, if so, Mandelson’s appointment proceeded.
Lord Simon McDonald, Sir Olly's predecessor, has publicly defended him, stating that "No 10 wanted a scalp and wanted it quickly." Lord McDonald asserted that Sir Olly was merely "observing process according to law" and emphasised the confidential nature of vetting details, which he maintained would "never be shared with No 10 or the prime minister." He condemned Sir Olly's effective dismissal as lacking due process and fairness.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced intense scrutiny over his insistence that he was unaware of Mandelson's failed vetting until recently. His previous assurances to Parliament that "due process" had been followed have led to accusations from opposition MPs that he misled the House. Starmer has labelled the decision not to inform him as "staggering" and "unforgivable."
Mandelson was announced as the US ambassador in December 2024, with formal vetting commencing simultaneously. He assumed the role in February 2025 but was removed last September following further disclosures about his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It is understood that the vetting report had returned a "no" verdict regarding a security clearance for Mandelson, indicating he should not be granted access to sensitive government material. Sir Olly had only been the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office for two weeks when Mandelson's appointment was announced.
