UK government rocked by vetting row as senior official departs

The UK’s most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, is leaving his post after it emerged that the department failed to inform the prime minister that Lord Mandelson had not passed security vetting for his role as ambassador to the United States, BBC reports.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have lost confidence in Sir Olly, who has effectively been dismissed. The development follows confirmation that the Foreign Office overruled the recommendation of the vetting agency and allowed Lord Mandelson to take up the position.

A government spokesperson said neither Sir Keir nor any minister had been aware that Lord Mandelson failed the vetting process until earlier this week.

Lord Mandelson was announced as ambassador in December 2024 before full vetting had been completed and formally assumed the role on 10 February 2025. Just seven months later, he was dismissed over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the prime minister, who has faced calls to resign over allegations he misled Parliament. During Prime Minister’s Questions on 10 September 2025, Sir Keir stated three times that “full due process” had been followed. In February, he also said there was “security vetting carried out independently by the security services, which is an intensive exercise that gave [Lord Mandelson] clearance for the role.”

Critics have sharply challenged those claims. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It is either, he knew that Mandelson failed the security vetting and lied to us in Parliament… or he didn’t know… which means he is hopelessly incompetent.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the appointment as showing “catastrophically poor judgement,” adding: “I don’t think the prime minister can get out of his responsibility by sacking Olly Robbins… the buck has to stop with Mr Starmer.”

Other parties, including Reform UK, the Greens and Plaid Cymru, have echoed calls for the prime minister to step down. The Scottish National Party has requested an investigation, with Westminster leader Stephen Flynn stating: “The prime minister is either incompetent, gullible or a liar. Or all three.”

The vetting process, conducted by UK Security Vetting, assesses risks such as susceptibility to blackmail or misuse of classified information. The BBC reports Lord Mandelson himself was unaware of the outcome until it emerged publicly. Sir Keir is expected to address Parliament on the issue.

By Vafa Guliyeva