Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have lost confidence in Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Sir Olly Robbins and he will be leaving his post, it is understood.
Sir Keir demanded an urgent explanation from the Foreign Office after it emerged the department overruled security vetting advice to clear Lord Peter Mandelson for the role of UK ambassador to the US.
It has been revealed that the Prime Minister was unaware until earlier this week that the Labour grandee had been granted “developed vetting” against the recommendations of UK Security Vetting.
Upon learning of the situation, the Prime Minister immediately instructed officials to establish the full facts behind the decision.
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is “working urgently” to comply with this request.
Sources within Downing Street have indicated that the Prime Minister is “absolutely furious” over the revelations.
More to follow…
