Robbins’ account raises questions over whether he was misled on Mandelson vetting
Sacked Foreign Office chief tells MPs he was briefed that UKSV considered Mandelson ‘a borderline case’
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/apr/21/olly-robbins-peter-mandelson-vetting-keir-starmer-uk-politics-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates
An account of Peter Mandelson’s vetting process given by the former top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins has raised new questions about whether he was misled about the findings of the agency responsible for vetting.
Robbins, who was sacked from his role of permanent secretary at the Foreign Office last week after https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/16/revealed-mandelson-failed-vetting-but-foreign-office-overruled-decision">revelations in the Guardian, gave testimony about the process to a select committee.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/21/olly-robbins-account-questions-peter-mandelson-vetting-keir-starmer">Continue reading...Mandelson Vetting Scandal Intensifies
- Downing Street pressured me to approve Mandelson hire, says sacked Foreign Office chief Channel 4 News —
- What Olly Robbins evidence means for Starmer’s future Channel 4 News —
- Mandelson crisis: Starmer’s future ‘hanging in the balance’ Channel 4 News —
- Why the government's war with the civil service matters to you | This Is Why Sky News —
- Keir Starmer pushed to quit 'by end of day' after official's 'devastating' testimony The National —