- Sir Olly Robbins, the former top official at the Foreign Office, stated that Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street took a "dismissive approach" to Peter Mandelson's security vetting.
- Robbins, who was sacked last week, revealed that Mandelson was granted developed vetting (DV) clearance despite failed security checks.
- He told MPs there was a "very, very strong expectation" from No 10 for Mandelson to be in post and in America as quickly as possible.
- Robbins noted that when he took on his role in January 2025, the DV process was already underway, and due diligence had been completed by the Cabinet Office.
- Despite the pressure from Downing Street, Robbins affirmed that the department completed the DV process to its usual high standard.
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