If Olly Robbins stood firm Labour could have avoided this disastrous episode of bad political judgment, says Richard Dearlove, former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service

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

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

Sacked civil servant discloses he overturned vetting ruling without knowing full extent of national security concerns

The Foreign Office chief sacked over the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal has finally given his side of the story in an explosive appearance before MPs. Lucy Hough speaks…

Editorial: Olly Robbins exposed a deeper failure: when the prime minister’s decision came first, security vetting was left to catch up after the fact

Sacked civil servant tells select committee of ‘pressure’ to give clearance and ‘dismissive’ attitude to vetting

Former Foreign Office top official’s evidence raises stark issues with ‘the system’ he was seeking to defend

Olly Robbins’ meeting with Collard resulted in Mandelson’s security clearance, which is now under intense scrutiny

In evidence to MPs, Cabinet Office top civil servant disputes that her department suggested vetting might not be needed

If Olly Robbins stood firm Labour could have avoided this disastrous episode of bad political judgment, says Richard Dearlove, former head of the British Secret Intelligence…