Sir Olly Robbins, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is leaving his post. His departure follows an internal dispute where his department overruled his decision to fail former Labour minister Peter Mandelson during a security vetting process.
Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the FCDO, had been in the role since 2022. The security vetting incident, which involved Mandelson's application for a senior advisory role, created significant tension within the department. The decision to overturn Robbins's ruling was reportedly made at a higher level.
A government spokesperson confirmed Robbins's planned departure, stating it was a mutual decision and part of a planned transition. No specific date for his exit has been announced, but a successor is expected to be appointed in the coming months.
The episode highlights the sensitive nature of security clearances for high-profile political appointments in the UK. Peter Mandelson served as a Cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and later as a European Commissioner.
