Ex-top civil servant Olly Robbins sues PM Starmer over sacking

Former top civil servant Olly Robbins has initiated legal proceedings against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, challenging his dismissal from the Foreign Office. Robbins, who served as permanent secretary, was sacked following controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US.

Robbins' department granted Mandelson security clearance for the role, despite concerns raised during the vetting process. Prime Minister Starmer stated that Robbins was dismissed because he failed to inform ministers about these security worries. Starmer asserted that Robbins had lost his confidence and that there was nothing preventing Robbins from informing ministers.

However, Robbins contends that his dismissal was unlawful and unreasonable, and that he was legally obligated not to disclose the details of the vetting process to ministers. His union, the FDA, has backed his claim, suggesting the sacking was a hasty reaction to media reports and based on a misunderstanding of how the national security vetting system operates. The union also argues that Starmer lacked the statutory authority to dismiss the head of the diplomatic service and that no fair procedure was followed.

Robbins stated he brings the action reluctantly and would not have done so if the Prime Minister had apologized for his mistake and addressed the distress caused. He is seeking a judicial review to have the prime minister's decisions quashed. Conservative MP Alex Burghart commented that the case would likely be costly for taxpayers.