Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, has been forced to resign after a Guardian investigation revealed that his department overruled a decision to deny Peter Mandelson security clearance for his role as UK ambassador to the US.
Mandelson failed the developed vetting process in January 2025, according to multiple sources. Despite the recommendation from security officials, the Foreign Office used a rarely invoked authority to override the decision. Downing Street insisted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was unaware of the vetting failure until this week and has ordered an inquiry.
The departure of Robbins came as the government faced intense pressure over the affair. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Starmer must take responsibility if he misled Parliament, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for the prime minister's resignation.
It has also emerged that senior officials considered withholding documents from Parliament that would reveal Mandelson's vetting failure. The decision, pending with the Cabinet Office, could breach a parliamentary motion demanding all papers related to Mandelson's appointment be released.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the government is committed to complying with the motion, but documents requiring redaction on national security grounds will be provided to the Intelligence and Security Committee. The identity of the official who overruled UK Security Vetting remains unknown.
