Sir Olly Robbins, the top civil servant at the Foreign Office, has been forced to resign following a Guardian investigation that revealed his department overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security clearance. Mandelson, whom Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed as UK ambassador to the US in January 2025, failed a developed vetting process conducted by UK Security Vetting (UKSV), a Cabinet Office division.
Despite the negative recommendation, Foreign Office officials used a rarely invoked authority to override the security assessment. Downing Street insisted that Starmer was unaware of the veto until this week, and that responsibility lay with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). A government spokesperson stated that no minister knew Mandelson was granted clearance against UKSV advice until recently.
The Guardian also reports that senior officials have considered withholding documents from parliament that would reveal the vetting failure. Any attempt to withhold such papers from the Intelligence and Security Committee could breach a parliamentary motion requiring the release of all documents related to Mandelson’s appointment. Downing Street said it is committed to complying with the motion, with redactions for national security to be reviewed by the ISC.
Opposition leaders have called for Starmer’s resignation if he misled parliament. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey both demanded accountability. Starmer now faces questions about his judgment in appointing Mandelson and whether he misled the public by stating that Mandelson had received clearance for the role.
