Sacked official describes Mandelson pressure

Deepening the political crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former top diplomat Sir Olly Robbins testified that Number 10 adopted a dismissive attitude toward security concerns.

Robbins claimed he was repeatedly chased to resolve Mandelson's clearance as quickly as humanly possible to ensure his installation in Washington.

The Prime Minister has previously denied direct knowledge of the vetting failure, blaming civil servants for the oversight.

This testimony contradicts Starmer's narrative and has led to renewed calls for an emergency debate in Parliament.