Foreign Office’s top civil servant Olly Robbins forced out over Mandelson vetting row

Keir Starmer understood to have lost confidence in official over decision to override security vetting failure

Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision

Sir Olly Robbins, the UK Foreign Office’s top civil servant, has been forced out of his post after the decision to fail Peter Mandelson during his security vetting was overruled by his department.

Robbins was the Foreign Office’s most senior official in late January 2025 when the decision was made, paving the way for Mandelson to become the US ambassador.

The Guardian understands that Robbins was told he had to resign after prime minister Keir Starmer and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper lost confidence in the civil servant.