The top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, has been forced to resign following a Guardian investigation that revealed his department overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security clearance. Mandelson, appointed UK ambassador to the US, had failed developed vetting in January 2025, but Foreign Office officials used a rarely invoked authority to override the recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV).
Downing Street insisted Prime Minister Keir Starmer had no knowledge of the overruling until this week and said responsibility lay with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Starmer was reportedly furious upon learning of the decision. The prime minister faces calls to resign from opposition leaders, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, who accused him of misleading parliament.
The Guardian also reveals that senior government officials have considered withholding documents from parliament that would confirm Mandelson was denied vetting approval. The Cabinet Office has yet to decide on this, but any attempt to withhold could breach a parliamentary motion requiring release of all papers relating to Mandelson's appointment. A Downing Street spokesperson stated the government is committed to complying with the motion, with redactions only for national security or international relations.
Mandelson's failure to secure vetting approval was not previously public, despite the release of 147 pages of documents. The identity of the Foreign Office official who overruled UKSV remains unknown. Robbins, who became top civil servant in late January 2025, was told to resign after Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper lost confidence in him.
