Sir Olly Robbins told MPs he did not see the vetting file on Peter Mandelson produced by UK Security Vetting, describing it as existing in a “hermetically sealed box”.
He said he received an oral briefing on 29 January 2025, the day after UKSV submitted its recommendation, in which he was told Mandelson was considered a “borderline case” with officials leaning towards denying clearance.
Robbins reiterated that UKSV was “leaning against” granting Mandelson clearance but said the description he received indicated internal debate had shifted assessments before his briefing.
A template of the UKSV summary document released to MPs showed two ticks beside red boxes indicating high concern and a recommendation for clearance denial.
The Financial Times reported Robbins described feeling under an “atmosphere of pressure” to rush Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US.
Several days after his sacking as permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, Robbins learned of his dismissal by letter on Monday morning.
Whitehall sources expressed fury over Robbins’ treatment, with supporters saying he was sacked for doing what No 10 wanted by swiftly passing Mandelson through vetting.
Civil servants expressed incredulity that Starmer was blindsided by the Mandelson vetting issue, describing the decision not to inform him as “staggering”.
The sacking has deepened the rift between No 10 and the civil service, following the earlier ousting of cabinet secretary Chris Wormald in February.
One mid-ranking official warned the net effect is chilling, questioning why staff would accept risks for ministers if they fear lacking support when things go wrong.
Goodwill towards the Labour administration after 14 years of Conservative rule appears to have evaporated due to the perceived brutality of Robbins’ and Wormald’s dismissals.
Robbins, who has served under prime ministers since Gordon Brown, gave testimony to the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, sounding shocked at the peremptory nature of his dismissal.
The guild of former permanent secretaries has rallied behind Robbins, with one ex-No 10 official saying Jeremy Heywood would not have allowed such a dismissal under previous administrations.
Even under the Conservatives, there was more respect for the civil service, with Liz Truss’s removal of Tom Scholar seen as a staffing change rather than public humiliation.
Why was Olly Robbins sacked?
He was dismissed for failing to inform the prime minister that Peter Mandelson had not passed UK security vetting before his appointment as ambassador to the US.
What did Robbins tell MPs about the vetting process?
He said he never saw the UKSV vetting file, was briefed that Mandelson was a borderline case leaning towards denial, and felt under pressure to rush the appointment.
How has the sacking affected Whitehall?
It has caused fury among civil servants who feel abandoned by No 10 and has worsened trust between the government and the permanent secretaries.
