Cabinet Office suggested Mandelson did not even need security vetting, Robbins tells MPs – UK politics live

Olly Robbins was forced out as Foreign Office permanent secretary over the Peter Mandelson security vetting revelations in the Guardian

In his letter to the committee, Robbins says the Cabinet Office suggested that Mandelson would not have to go through security vetting. He says:

After the announcement, I believe the Cabinet Office (CO) raised whether Developed Vetitng (DV) was actually necessary. I understand the FCDO insisted that DV was a requirement before Mandelson took up his post in Washington.

Robbins was asked more about the meeting he had with the UKSV head of security about Mandelson. UKSV said they could manage the risks associated with Mandelson’s appointment. Was it there decision, or was it ultimately his decision?

Robbins said this was a recommendation to him, but he said he would not read too much into that. He went on: