Zeffman: Robbins's revelations are a dangerous moment for Starmer
Summary
Sir Olly Robbins testified about the pressure from Downing Street to approve Lord Mandelson’s security clearance for an ambassador role, a decision later admitted by Sir Keir Starmer as a mistake. Robbins said he did not inform No 10 about vetting concerns and claimed that political staff wanted Mandelson appointed regardless of the issues raised.Key Facts
- Sir Olly Robbins spoke before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee for nearly two and a half hours.
- Robbins said he did not tell anyone in No 10 about vetting concerns around Lord Mandelson.
- Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to quickly approve Mandelson’s security clearance.
- Robbins decided to clear Mandelson despite UK Security Vetting concerns, calling the case “borderline.”
- No 10 denies undue pressure on Robbins but argues he made the wrong decision to grant clearance.
- Robbins revealed a separate attempt to place another Labour figure with controversial ties in a diplomatic post.
- The appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador was already publicly announced when vetting concerns arose.
- Robbins’s testimony challenges Prime Minister Starmer’s claim that he would not have pushed ahead if he had known the vetting details.
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