Olly Robbins Exposes Cronyism in Starmer's Government as Worse Than Imagined
The sacked chief mandarin of the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, delivered a damning testimony to the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Monday, revealing a culture of cronyism and cynicism at the heart of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration. His evidence, centered on the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, painted a grim picture of political pressure and ethical lapses within Downing Street.
Pressure and Exclusion in Mandelson Appointment
During a two-hour session, Sir Olly disclosed that there was an alleged attempt by the Cabinet Office to exclude Peter Mandelson from standard security vetting for the crucial role of ambassador to the United States. He described regular calls and "constant chasing" from the Prime Minister's private office to expedite Mandelson's appointment, despite known security risks and Mandelson's association with a paedophile.
Sir Olly stated there was a "strong expectation" that Mandelson needed to be in post in America "as quickly as humanly possible." He highlighted that overruling the decision would have had catastrophic political consequences, as the appointment had already been announced publicly. The former Foreign Office chief also criticised Sir Keir's judgement, noting the Prime Minister was warned of the risks through Cabinet Office checks but pushed the appointment through regardless.
Attempt to Place Lord Doyle in Diplomatic Role
Further revelations included an attempt by Number 10 to secure an ambassador role for Lord Matthew Doyle, Sir Keir's former director of communications, during departmental restructuring that threatened top diplomats' jobs. Sir Olly revealed he was under "strict instructions" not to inform then Foreign Secretary David Lammy about this demand, which he found "very uncomfortable." He advised against it, stating it would be hard to defend personally and for the office.
Lord Doyle, later made a peer, had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after campaigning for a friend charged with possessing indecent images of children. This attempt to appoint another individual with ties to paedophilia, following Mandelson's case, underscores the depth of cronyism.
Toxic Culture and Lack of Transparency
The testimony suggests a toxic culture within Starmer's operation, particularly under Morgan McSweeney's leadership, where discussions were deliberately kept from the foreign secretary. This lack of transparency reveals a self-serving elite, echoing criticisms from Labour backbenchers. Sir Olly's account contrasts sharply with the high moral tone Sir Keir promised for his government.
Downing Street's failure to initiate emergency investigations after The Independent revealed Mandelson's failed vetting in September indicates prior knowledge and intent to appoint him regardless. Some in the Cabinet Office even questioned the need for vetting at all, according to Sir Olly.
Broader Implications and Political Fallout
These revelations may only scratch the surface of cronyism in Starmer's government, raising serious questions about the Prime Minister's integrity and judgement. Ambitious young special advisers have reportedly avoided Downing Street, preferring outlying departments to escape a toxic setup seen as limping toward demise, possibly in May's election results.
Sir Olly's calm and polite responses have provided damning answers about Starmer's inner operation, highlighting a gap between professed ethics and actual practices. The scandal threatens to further erode public trust and could impact the upcoming elections, as voters assess the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.
