Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure as the controversy over Peter Mandelson's security vetting failure deepens. Senior government figures have described next week as 'judgment day' for Starmer, with former Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins expected to testify before a powerful committee of MPs. Robbins, who was forced to resign from his post, is understood to be furious at his treatment and may use his appearance to challenge Downing Street's version of events.
The Guardian revealed on Friday that Starmer was kept in the dark about Mandelson's vetting failure by two other top civil servants: Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo and Cabinet Office permanent secretary Catherine Little. Both officials became aware of the situation last month but did not inform the prime minister until Tuesday. Government sources denied they had been 'sitting on' the information, describing it as part of a complex process to assess risks in sharing highly sensitive data.
Starmer has described the failure to inform him as 'unforgivable' and 'staggering', and has squarely blamed the Foreign Office. Downing Street said No 10 had 'repeatedly' sought the facts but was not told. When asked if this amounted to a cover-up, Starmer's official spokesperson did not reject the suggestion, stating: 'The prime minister was not informed and he’s made clear that it is staggering that he was not informed.'
Robbins is expected to give evidence to the Commons foreign affairs select committee on Tuesday. Some ministers fear he will use the opportunity to hit back at No 10, potentially damaging Starmer's premiership. Ciaran Martin, a former senior civil servant and friend of Robbins, told the BBC that Robbins appeared to have been made a scapegoat, arguing that vetting is a 'risk assessment' and that officials have a duty not to disclose details to ministers.
However, a second senior government official suggested it was highly unusual for the Foreign Office to reject UK Security Vetting (UKSV) advice, arguing that Robbins could have informed a senior minister. Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said Robbins had failed to tell the truth by omission in his previous answers, and questioned whether there was pressure from Downing Street or elsewhere to confirm Mandelson's appointment.
