Politics · United Kingdom · 10 hrs ago
Olly Robbins reaches settlement with government over his sacking
Olly Robbins has reached an out-of-court settlement with the UK government over his dismissal as the Foreign Office’s top civil servant.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Robbins in April after concerns emerged that Peter Mandelson received security clearance despite vetting officials’ concerns about his appointment as US ambassador.
Mandelson took up the role in February 2025 and was dismissed seven months later after more information emerged about his past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Robbins challenged his dismissal in court, arguing that the decision was made without a fair process.
The settlement amount has not been disclosed, though it is believed to be six figures, and the government is ultimately expected to publish it.
Robbins’s union said the case had damaged trust between ministers and civil servants, and called on the government to clarify how ministers were involved in vetting.
Olly Robbins has reached an out-of-court settlement with the government over his dismissal as the Foreign Office’s top civil servant.
He was sacked in April after questions arose over the security clearance granted to Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador role.
Robbins had sought a judicial review, arguing that his dismissal was unlawful and that there was no fair process.
The settlement amount has not been made public; the Guardian reported it was six figures.
The FDA union said the affair had damaged trust between civil servants and ministers, while the government declined to comment further.
- Who
- Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office, and the UK government.
- What
- They reached an out-of-court settlement over Robbins’s dismissal. He had sought a judicial review of the decision.
- When
- The settlement was reported on 16 October 2026. Robbins was sacked in April.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Robbins was dismissed after concerns arose over the vetting and security clearance of Peter Mandelson for the US ambassador role.
Olly Robbins
UK government
Dismissal
Olly Robbins
Robbins’s legal submission argued the prime minister had no statutory authority to dismiss him and that there was no fair procedure.
UK government
The government said Robbins was dismissed after losing the confidence of the prime minister and the then foreign secretary over his handling of the vetting.
Vetting decision
Olly Robbins
Robbins said he had not seen UK Security Vetting’s written assessment and was given an oral briefing describing Mandelson as a borderline case.
UK government
The government’s stated concern was that Mandelson received clearance despite concerns raised by vetting officials.
Mandelson was announced as the UK’s ambassador to the US before in-depth vetting had been carried out.
Mandelson formally took up the ambassador role after being granted security clearance.
Robbins was sacked after a Guardian report revealed clearance had been granted despite concerns raised by vetting officials.
Robbins and the government reached an out-of-court settlement after he sought a judicial review.
- Settlement
- Out of court, between Olly Robbins and the UK government
- Dismissal
- April 2026
- Role
- Head of the Foreign Office civil service
- Vetting unit
- UK Security Vetting
- Settlement amount
- Not made public; the Guardian reported it was six figures
3 sources
What people are saying
I want to thank the FDA [union] for their assistance in reaching this settlement and I am looking forward to moving on to the next chapter of my life.
This settlement may bring an end to the judicial review proceedings, but this whole unprecedented affair has damaged the bond of trust between civil servants and ministers, which is essential to the effective running of government.
I did ask him, and I did not accept his explanation. That is why I sacked him.
The government has reached a settlement with Sir Oliver following his dismissal. We will not be commenting further on HR matters.