The UK's top Foreign Office civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, has been forced to resign following a Guardian investigation revealing that his department overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security clearance. Mandelson, appointed as US ambassador by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January 2025, failed a developed vetting process—a highly confidential background check by UK Security Vetting (UKSV).
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) used a rarely invoked authority to override the recommendation from security officials. Downing Street insists Starmer was unaware of the vetting denial until this week, and that responsibility lies with the FCDO. No 10 sources say the prime minister was 'furious' at being kept in the dark.
Opposition leaders have called for Starmer's resignation if he misled parliament. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the prime minister 'must take responsibility', while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey stated: 'If Keir Starmer has misled parliament and lied to the British people, he has to go.'
The Guardian understands Robbins was told to resign after Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper lost confidence in him. In September, Robbins had co-signed a letter to MPs stating vetting was conducted to the usual standard. The government has released 147 pages of documents on the appointment, but the vetting failure was not previously disclosed.
Senior officials are now considering whether to withhold further documents from parliament that would reveal Mandelson was not granted clearance by UKSV. Any such move could breach a parliamentary motion requiring release of 'all papers relating to Mandelson's appointment'. Downing Street says it is committed to complying, with redactions only for national security or international relations.
