Former Top Official Sir Olly Robbins Challenges Dismissal Over Mandelson Vetting
Olly Robbins, pictured here in 2019, previously served as the UK's Brexit negotiator.
The senior civil servant at the Foreign Office dismissed by Sir Keir Starmer concerning Lord Mandelson's vetting for the US ambassador role is pursuing legal action over his termination.
Sir Olly Robbins was removed from his position earlier this year after it was revealed that Lord Mandelson had been granted security clearance for the ambassador role despite concerns raised by vetting officials.
Sir Olly is now seeking a judicial review of the decision to dismiss him, according to the FDA, the union representing senior civil servants and acting on his behalf in this matter.
The union stated that the dismissal occurred without "even the semblance of a fair process" and warned it could harm the integrity of the civil service. A government spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
Lord Mandelson was announced as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024 before comprehensive vetting had been completed, and he formally assumed the role in February 2025 after receiving security clearance.
Just seven months later, he was dismissed following revelations about his previous friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Olly was dismissed in April 2025, following a report that disclosed Mandelson's security clearance had been approved despite vetting officials' concerns. The prime minister later expressed he was "furious" that he had not been informed earlier.
Sir Keir Starmer has stated that he dismissed Sir Olly after rejecting his explanation for why clearance was granted, telling MPs in April:
"I did ask him, and I did not accept his explanation. That is why I sacked him."
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Sir Olly has defended his involvement in the process, emphasizing that government vetting procedures must "remain absolutely confidential." He previously informed MPs that he had not reviewed documentation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV), the government's internal vetting unit, containing their assessment of Lord Mandelson.
Instead, he received an oral briefing, during which he was told the vetting agency considered Mandelson a "borderline case," but that the Foreign Office might grant clearance with "appropriate risk management."
Upon announcing Sir Olly's decision to pursue legal action, the FDA issued a statement asserting that his dismissal from the Foreign Office was based on a "grievous misunderstanding" of government vetting procedures.
"Rather than being under a duty to tell ministers about the process leading up to the vetting decision, Olly was under an obligation not to,"
the statement added.
"Not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all."
The union also indicated it intends to argue that Sir Keir lacked the legal authority to dismiss Sir Olly, who also served as head of the UK's diplomatic service.
Sir Olly, appointed to the Foreign Office role in early 2025, has held multiple senior civil service positions and was previously the government's lead official during Brexit negotiations with the EU.
In a statement, he expressed that he was bringing legal action "reluctantly" and that it would have been unnecessary if the prime minister had "simply apologised for his mistake and made amends for the distress and cost it has caused me and my family."
