Summary
The top official at the UK's Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, is leaving his job after a dispute about security checks on Lord Mandelson, who was appointed as the UK ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson failed the security vetting but was still allowed to take the role, which has caused political controversy and calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.
Key Facts
- Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior official at the UK Foreign Office, is leaving his post.
- Lord Mandelson was named UK ambassador to the US in December 2024 and started in February 2025.
- Lord Mandelson failed the official security vetting but still took the ambassador role.
- The UK government said neither Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor ministers knew about the failed vetting until recently.
- Lord Mandelson was removed from his ambassador position seven months after starting, linked to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Keir Starmer denied misleading Parliament about the vetting process, stating full checks were done.
- Several political parties have called for Starmer’s resignation, accusing him of lying or incompetence.
- The Scottish National Party requested an investigation into whether the Prime Minister purposely misled the public.
