Starmer Should Reinstate Olly Robbins Due to Rushed Misjudgment on Mandelson Vetting
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/simon-mcdonald. "It is obvious now, Keir Starmer, that you made a mistake. Reinstate Olly Robbins for the good of the UK | Simon McDonald | The Guardian." April 22, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The author argues that Prime Minister Starmer fired a top Foreign Office official too hastily based on incomplete information about a security vetting decision. Since the official was actually doing his job properly and Britain needs experienced leadership during current crises, Starmer should admit his mistake and rehire him.
Conclusion
The government should reinstate Olly Robbins as permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office
Premises
- Starmer made his decision to sack Robbins based on incomplete information and rushed judgment
- By the time Robbins took over, Mandelson's posting was already irreversible - publicly announced, approved by the king, and accepted by the White House
- Robbins followed proper procedure by making a judgment call on a 'borderline' case with appropriate mitigations, rather than overturning UKSV's recommendation
- Security vetting is confidential and involves judgment about mitigating vulnerabilities, not simple pass/fail determinations
- Robbins demonstrated his competence and integrity in his testimony to the foreign affairs select committee
- Britain faces multiple international crises and cannot afford to lose a first-class civil servant or have a leadership gap at the Foreign Office
Assumptions
- Starmer would have made a different decision if he had heard Robbins' full account initially
- The prime minister's understanding of the vetting process was flawed
- Robbins acted within his proper authority and followed established procedures
- National security and diplomatic effectiveness should take precedence over political considerations