Sir Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office, revealed that there was persistent pressure from No10 to expedite Peter Mandelson’s transfer to Washington and that a dismissive attitude was taken towards his security clearance process. The ex-official’s remarks came in response to allegations by Keir Starmer, who criticized the Foreign Office for withholding information about Lord Mandelson’s security clearance status. Sir Olly disclosed that upon his arrival at the Foreign Office in January 2025, there was a sense of urgency surrounding Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador, which had been announced by the Prime Minister in December 2024.
According to Sir Olly, there were doubts raised by the Cabinet Office regarding the necessity of vetting Lord Mandelson due to his status as a member of the House of Lords and the privy council. He expressed uncertainty about the assumption that Mandelson would undergo vetting at the time of his appointment. Additionally, Sir Olly mentioned being instructed to secure a prominent diplomatic position for Matthew Doyle, the former spin chief of the Prime Minister, without informing David Lammy, who was the Foreign Secretary back then.
These revelations are expected to increase pressure on Mr. Starmer, who recently dismissed Sir Olly from his position at the Foreign Office amidst renewed controversy over Lord Mandelson’s appointment. Sir Olly defended his actions, emphasizing the intense expectation for Mandelson to assume his role swiftly, as indicated by communications from No10 urging expedited action.
Sir Olly further detailed the frequent exchanges with No10 officials regarding Lord Mandelson’s appointment, describing a continuous pursuit to fast-track the process. When asked about the consequences if Mandelson had been denied clearance, Sir Olly acknowledged it would have posed significant challenges. He indicated that the security vetting process was already in progress upon his arrival, with Lord Mandelson granted partial access to classified briefings at the Foreign Office.
Moreover, Sir Olly shed light on the pressure he faced to find a suitable role for Matthew Doyle without informing the Foreign Secretary, a situation he found uncomfortable. Doyle eventually received a peerage but faced repercussions for his association with a convicted sex offender.
The developments outlined by Sir Olly underscore the complexities surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment and shed light on the challenges faced within the Foreign Office hierarchy.