Former Foreign Office Loses Job
Kim Derek, the former British ambassador to the United States, was featured in a discussion. He testified that Number 10 was uninterested in the vetting and that the Prime Minister was warned of risks but was not given the opportunity to raise personal concerns. Mandelson was nominated in December 2024 but reportedly failed to obtain security clearance during a January 2025 review. Mandelson stated he only learned of the clearance failure on April 14, 2025, and subsequently dismissed Robbins. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denied misleading Parliament regarding the appointment. Robbins was dismissed from his position following the incident. This testimony follows Prime Minister Starmer's dismissal of Robbins on April 14 after Mandelson failed to receive security clearance in January 2025.
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Sources · 7 independent
“That was us speaking with Kim Derek, the former British ambassador to the United States. And that's it for today's episode.”
“The former head of the Foreign Office says there was pressure to get on with appointing Peter Maneson ambassador to Washington, but not pressure on his vetting.”
“Sir Philip Barton is giving evidence to MPs. He says number 10 was uninterested in the vetting and that whilst the Prime Minister was warned about the risks of appointing the peer, he didn't get the chance to raise his own worries.”
“Robbins testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the appointment of Mandelson.”
“Robbins testified in Parliament this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the appointment of Mandelson.”
“He also dismissed the UK Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Oli Robbins, and Starmer simultaneously insisted that he did not mislead Parliament in this matter. Robbins, who was dismissed by Starmer, testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the appointment of Mandelson.”
“被斯塔莫解职的罗宾斯本月21号在议会作证时称,在任命曼德尔森的过程中,他曾感受到来自首相府的压力”
“He also dismissed the UK Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Oli Robbins, and Starmer insisted he did not mislead Parliament in this matter. However, Robbins, who was dismissed by Starmer, testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office.”
“He [Robbins] testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the appointment of Mandelson.”
“Robbins, who was dismissed by Starmer, testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the Mandelson appointment process.”
“He also dismissed the UK Foreign Office Permanent Under-Secretary Ollie Robbins, while Starmer insisted he did not mislead Parliament in this matter. However, Robbins, who was dismissed by Starmer, testified in Parliament on the 21st of this month that he felt pressure from the Prime Minister's office during the Mandelson appointment process.”
“The former head of the Foreign Office says there wasn't pressure on Peter Manorsen's vetting, but there was pressure to make his appointment quickly.”
“Oliver Robbins, who obviously was the former Permanent Undersecretary at the Foreign Office, he has now lost his job. And the PM said when he was asked that he didn't accept the explanation as to why.”
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