The FDA union has confirmed that Sir Olly Robbins has submitted a legal challenge over his dismissal as the top civil servant at the Foreign Office. The challenge comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Sir Olly in April over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
Background to the scandal
The scandal erupted after the revelation that Lord Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador despite failing his security vetting. Sir Olly was the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office when the decision was made to overrule advice from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) to allow Lord Mandelson to take the position. However, Sir Olly later accused Number 10 of being dismissive of the need to vet Lord Mandelson. He told a committee of MPs that it was not a given that the so-called Prince of Darkness would be vetted at all before being sent to Washington.
Legal grounds for challenge
Sir Olly's submission to the Court claims that the Prime Minister has no statutory authority to dismiss the Head of the Diplomatic Service. It further argues that not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all. Following the request for Judicial Review of his dismissal, Sir Olly said: “I bring this action reluctantly. It would have been unnecessary if the Prime Minister had simply apologised for his mistake and made amends for the distress and cost it has caused me and my family. Instead, I now have to ask the Courts to determine that the Prime Minister’s decisions were unlawful, unreasonable and to quash them.”
Impact and next steps
The legal challenge marks a significant escalation in the ongoing controversy over the Mandelson vetting affair. The case will now proceed through the courts, with potential implications for the powers of the Prime Minister over senior civil service appointments. The FDA union is supporting Sir Olly in his action.
