Sir Olly Robbins, a former high-ranking official at the Foreign Office, has made shocking allegations against No10, claiming they were indifferent to the necessity of vetting Peter Mandelson. During a session with MPs, Robbins disclosed that there was uncertainty about whether Mandelson, dubbed the “Prince of Darkness,” would undergo vetting before heading to Washington, adding to the mounting pressure on Keir Starmer following the revelation that UK Security Vetting did not approve Mandelson’s clearance.
The Prime Minister expressed outrage at not being informed about the situation, leading to Robbins’ dismissal. In a detailed testimony before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Robbins revealed various uncomfortable truths, including being coerced into finding an ambassadorial role for a key aide of the PM.
Robbins also faced questions about whether Starmer’s former chief of staff had urged the Foreign Office to expedite Mandelson’s vetting process. He emphasized the leak of UKSV’s findings as a grave national security risk. Robbins highlighted the urgency imposed by No10 to have Mandelson in place swiftly, even before Trump’s inauguration.
One significant revelation was Robbins’ belief that it wasn’t always definite that Mandelson would undergo vetting. He described the atmosphere as dismissive towards the vetting process, with a primary focus on expediting Mandelson’s deployment to Washington.
Robbins detailed the circumstances upon his arrival at the Foreign Office, where Mandelson’s nomination had already been announced, and the pressure to have him operational swiftly was evident. He noted the lack of interest from No10 in the vetting details, emphasizing a rush to complete the process.
Regarding the security vetting decision, Robbins mentioned that UKSV was inclined to reject Mandelson’s clearance but ultimately decided the concerns could be managed. He underscored the importance of confidentiality in the vetting process and refused to disclose specific details to protect its integrity.
Robbins also revealed the pressure to secure a job for Starmer’s former communications director, indicating attempts to place him as an ambassador. However, this plan was eventually dropped, and the individual was later appointed to the House of Lords.
In response to questions about his decision-making process, Robbins defended the meticulous checks conducted on Mandelson and reiterated his adherence to established protocols despite external pressures. He expressed alarm at the breach of confidentiality regarding Mandelson’s vetting and stressed the implications for national security.
Robbins highlighted his disappointment at not being given the opportunity to address concerns before his dismissal, emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent process.