"Lord Simon McDonald defended Sir Olly Robbins, stating that 'No 10 wanted a scalp and wanted it quickly.' He emphasized that Robbins was 'observing process according to law' and that details from the 'confidential' vetting process would 'never be shared with No 10 or the prime minister.'"
"McDonald criticized the handling of Robbins' dismissal, saying, 'I cannot see that there was any process, any fairness, any giving him the chance to set out his case, and that feels, to me, wrong.'"
"Sir Keir Starmer expressed his frustration, labeling the decision not to inform him about Mandelson's vetting failure as 'staggering' and 'unforgivable,' especially while he was assuring Parliament that due process had been followed."
Sir Olly Robbins, the chief Foreign Office official, is set to face questions from MPs regarding Peter Mandelson's security clearance. Concerns were raised during the vetting process, and Robbins' predecessor defended him, stating that No 10 sought a quick scapegoat. Lord Simon McDonald emphasized that Robbins followed legal processes and that details of the vetting were confidential. Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure from opposition MPs questioning his knowledge of Mandelson's vetting failure, with accusations of misleading Parliament regarding due process.
Read at www.bbc.com
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