Ex-official blames pressure from U.K. prime minister's office to pick Epstein-linked U.S. ambassador
CBC
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https://i.cbc.ca/ais/b6ec175d-9e15-49f3-a500-cf253d71957b,1776766805106/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%2824%2C0%2C2512%2C1413%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29" title="Former Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) boss Sir Olly Robbins appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Houses of Parliament in London, Tuesday April 21, 2026. (House of Commons/UK Parliament via AP)" width="620" />
A former top Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday he had faced "constant pressure" from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office to speed up the process to install his pick as U.S. ambassador, deepening a row that threatens the British leader.
Mandelson Vetting Scandal Rocks Starmer
- No 10 put ‘constant pressure’ on Foreign Office to get Mandelson in post The Independent —
- Downing Street discussed diplomatic role for Starmer aide, says ex-Foreign Office head Financial Times —
- 7 takeaways from Olly Robbins’ evidence on the Peter Mandelson vetting saga Politico EU —
- Olly Robbins revelas "constant pressure" France 24 —
- Cooper opens Cabinet dissent against Starmer after extraordinary No 10 order to 'just f-ing approve' Mandelson was exposed at explosive hearing Daily Mail —