- Lord Sedwill, a former cabinet secretary, has called for Sir Olly Robbins to be reinstated, stating Sir Olly "shouldered his responsibilities rather than shunting them" after his sacking by the Prime Minister.
- Sir Olly, the former Foreign Office chief, was dismissed last week for not informing the Prime Minister that security vetting officials had recommended against Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US.
- In his testimony, Sir Olly claimed there was a "dismissive approach" from Downing Street regarding vetting and an "atmosphere of pressure" to approve Lord Mandelson, who already had high-level access.
- Mark Sedwill criticised the Prime Minister for appointing Lord Mandelson against official advice and announcing it before vetting was complete, arguing the Prime Minister was already aware of Mandelson's past conduct.
- Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA trade union, accused the Prime Minister of creating a "real chill throughout the civil service" with Sir Olly's dismissal, questioning who in the civil service would now feel secure.
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