After being dismissed abruptly last week, Sir Olly Robbins is now facing widespread criticism from the British government. Throughout his 51 years, he has played a significant role in the inner workings of Whitehall, with supporters highlighting his deep commitment to public service. However, during a parliamentary session on Monday, Keir Starmer publicly accused him of intentionally withholding information regarding Peter Mandelson’s vetting process, labeling his actions as inexcusable.
Sir Olly was removed from his position as the head of the Foreign Office just hours after the controversy surfaced, despite being appointed by the Prime Minister in January. He defended his actions by stating that Mandelson’s vetting was not assured and alleged that he was pressured to find employment for Matthew Doyle, a key aide to Mr. Starmer.
Having been a central figure in Theresa May’s tumultuous Brexit negotiations, Sir Olly faced constant criticism from various factions, particularly Eurosceptics who accused him of obstructing progress. Stepping into the Brexit negotiations midway after David Davis was sidelined, the deal he helped craft faced repeated rejections in the Commons.
Prior to his Brexit involvement, Sir Olly had served under every Prime Minister since Tony Blair, earning a reputation as a behind-the-scenes but influential civil servant. His career trajectory saw him rise through the ranks at the Treasury before being appointed as Tony Blair’s principal private secretary, a pivotal role within No10.
Following the 2010 general election, David Cameron appointed Sir Olly as the deputy national security adviser, overseeing intelligence, security, and resilience. Notably, he navigated the fallout from the data leak by Edward Snowden, which revealed classified information concerning the CIA and GCHQ.
Leaving government in 2019 before Boris Johnson assumed office, Sir Olly briefly worked at Goldman Sachs as a managing director in the investment banking division. He was later knighted in Baroness May’s resignation honors.
In January 2025, Sir Olly re-entered government when appointed by Mr. Starmer as the head of the Foreign Office. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he was dismissed by the PM for allegedly withholding crucial information about Mandelson’s vetting. Expressing deep regret over the termination, Sir Olly conveyed his pride in serving the government and expressed his best wishes for his former colleagues.