Sir Keir Starmer is set to face Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday amid ongoing fallout over the vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson. The controversy follows former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins’ claim of a “dismissive approach” from No 10 and an “atmosphere of pressure” to secure Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, a close ally of the Prime Minister, repeatedly declined to say whether the decision to sack Sir Olly was fair. When pressed, McFadden stated: “It’s the Prime Minister’s judgment,” and added that as a Cabinet member, he supports the PM’s decisions.
Sir Olly was dismissed last week for failing to inform Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting checks but was granted security clearance with mitigations. Sir Olly argued it was normal not to share vetting findings and described feeling pressured to clear the peer. Former civil service chief Lord Sedwill called for Sir Olly’s reinstatement, praising his “calm integrity and intelligence.”
Dave Penman of the FDA union warned the sacking sent a “chill” through Whitehall, stating: “Government only works when there is trust between ministers and civil servants.” Meanwhile, Dame Emily Thornberry suggested she might summon Sir Keir’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, before the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and the SNP have called for a vote of no confidence in Sir Keir. A leak inquiry is underway after details were given to The Guardian, which Sir Olly called a “grievous breach of national security.” Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the sacking, insisting there is “no Labour leadership contest.”
