In a startling revelation, a former top official at the Foreign Office accused the Prime Minister’s office of disregarding the necessity to thoroughly vet Peter Mandelson before his assignment. Sir Olly Robbins, who was later dismissed, disclosed to a parliamentary committee that there was uncertainty about whether the controversial figure would undergo vetting procedures before heading to Washington. This development intensifies the pressure on Keir Starmer, who is facing a political crisis following revelations that UK Security Vetting did not authorize Mandelson’s clearance.
During a detailed interrogation by the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir Olly made several uncomfortable disclosures, including being coerced to secure an ambassadorial role for one of the Prime Minister’s key aides. He also faced questions about alleged instructions from Mr. Starmer’s former chief of staff to expedite Mandelson’s vetting process. Sir Olly emphasized that the leaked findings of UKSV posed a significant national security risk.
The former official highlighted that there was immense urgency to install Mandelson in his role as swiftly as possible, driven by directives from No10. He emphasized that the focus was primarily on expediting Mandelson’s deployment to Washington rather than on the vetting itself. Sir Olly indicated that there was constant pressure from the Prime Minister’s office to complete the vetting quickly, with a lack of interest in the process itself.
Sir Olly revealed that there was a misconception within the Cabinet Office that vetting Mandelson might not be necessary due to his status as a member of the House of Lords and a privy counsellor. The official stressed that at the time of Mandelson’s appointment, the need for vetting was not considered a given, with discussions on the matter extending even after the initial announcement.
Moreover, Sir Olly mentioned that UKSV was leaning towards rejecting Mandelson’s clearance initially, but a decision was made to manage the concerns raised. He emphasized that rigorous checks were conducted on Mandelson despite pressures to expedite the process, and he defended his adherence to official procedures.
Furthermore, Sir Olly expressed his dismay at the breach of confidentiality regarding Mandelson’s vetting process, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining trust and confidentiality in such matters. The former official also indicated that he was dismissed without being given the opportunity to address certain points raised about his accountability.
The revelations by Sir Olly Robbins shed light on the complex dynamics and pressures surrounding the vetting process for high-profile appointments within the government.
