Sir Olly’s disclosures pose risks for Starmer’s leadership

Sir Olly Robbins confirmed during his appearance before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that he had not shared concerns about Lord Mandelson’s vetting with No 10. This admission, made swiftly, initially appeared to benefit Downing Street. Opposition parties had previously argued that the prime minister or his team must have known all details of the vetting process, a belief now challenged as incorrect.

However, the positive outcome for Sir Keir Starmer was short-lived. Over nearly two-and-a-half hours of testimony, Robbins painted a vivid picture of the relentless push to appoint Lord Mandelson as Washington DC ambassador. His account, at times emotionally charged, highlighted a decision Sir Keir now admits was a significant error. The session also revealed a new twist: a separate attempt to place another Labour figure in a diplomatic role, where the individual had ties to a different sex offender.

“The pressure was not directly on me, but it was communicated through No 10 officials,” Robbins stated, emphasizing that political figures in Downing Street had influenced the Foreign Office. Yet he maintained that this pressure did not sway his final decision to grant Lord Mandelson security clearance.

The crux of the dispute lies in how serious UK Security Vetting (UKSV) perceived the risks. Robbins described the UKSV’s stance as “borderline,” with a verbal briefing suggesting they were leaning toward withholding clearance. In contrast, Downing Street asserts that UKSV marked two red boxes under a traffic light system, signaling “high concern” and advocating for denial. These conflicting narratives leave room for ambiguity, with the committee likely to scrutinize the accuracy of the briefing.

Robbins also introduced an unexpected revelation: in March 2025, he was approached by prime minister’s civil servants to “potentially” secure a role for Matthew Doyle, the director of communications. Doyle, like Mandelson, has a history as a prominent figure on Labour’s right wing. This detail adds another layer to the controversy, underscoring the broader pressure to expedite appointments within the government.