Key facts
- Olly Robbins received a six-figure government payout.
- Robbins was dismissed in April by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- The dismissal followed the overturning of a vetting recommendation for Peter Mandelson.
- The FDA union stated the affair damaged trust between civil servants and ministers.
- The settlement is believed to be over six figures but less than £860,000 paid to Chris Wormald.
Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office, has received a payout exceeding six figures from the government following his dismissal in April. Prime Minister Keir Starmer removed Robbins after it was disclosed that he had overturned a recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) to deny clearance for Peter Mandelson. Robbins had applied to the high court for a judicial review of the decision. In a statement, Robbins expressed gratitude for the support he received and thanked the FDA union for their assistance in reaching the settlement. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA, commented that the affair has damaged the trust between civil servants and ministers, urging the government to clarify issues surrounding ministerial involvement in the vetting process. The payout is believed to be substantial, though less than the record £860,000 given to former cabinet secretary Chris Wormald.