Former top official Robbins takes legal action over sacking
Former UK Foreign Office civil servant Sir Olly Robbins is seeking a judicial review after being dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The sacking followed controversy over the security vetting of Lord Mandelson, who was appointed as US ambassador despite internal concerns.
Why it matters
The case highlights tensions between political leadership and the civil service regarding accountability and the integrity of security vetting processes.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Olly Robbins, pictured here in 2019, was previously the UK's Brexit negotiator
The top civil servant at the Foreign Office sacked by Sir Keir Starmer over Lord Mandelson's vetting to be US ambassador is taking legal action over his dismissal.
Sir Olly Robbins was fired earlier this year, after it emerged the peer had been granted security clearance for the role despite concerns raised by vetting officials.
Sir Olly is now seeking a judicial review of the decision to dismiss him, according to the FDA, the union for senior civil servants representing him in the action.
The union said the sacking had taken place without "even the semblance of a fair process" and risked damaging the civil service. A government spokesperson said: "We do not comment on legal proceedings."
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