Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins SACKED by Starmer over Mandelson vetting

Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins SACKED by Keir Starmer over Mandelson vetting scandalPrime Minister Keir Starmer has sacked the Foreign Office’s top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins over the vetting of Lord Peter MandelsonCommentsNewsLizzy Buchan Political Editor and Eliana Nunes News Reporter23:04, 16 Apr 2026Updated 23:18, 16 Apr 2026View ImageOlly Robbins has been sacked(Image: REUTERS)Keir Starmer has sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.‌The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are understood to have lost confidence in the top mandarin, who will leave his post. It comes after the bombshell revelation that Lord Mandelson was made US ambassador despite failing his security vetting.‌Security officials initially denied the peer clearance, but Foreign Office officials took the rare step of overruling the recommendation.‌The Prime Minister was not aware that the former Labour grandee had been granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week, the Government has said.He has instructed officials to establish the circumstances as to why vetting was approved, and the Foreign Office earlier said it is "working urgently" to comply.Article continues belowThis is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.