Top British diplomat dismissed amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein-linked security clearance case

Friday 17 April 2026 - 09:45

The British government has dismissed its most senior diplomatic official following renewed controversy linked to the wider Epstein case and the appointment process of former ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Senior civil servant Olly Robbins is expected to leave his position after losing the confidence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, according to multiple UK media reports.

Robbins, who served as a top official at the Foreign Office, was accused of authorizing a security clearance for Mandelson despite an unfavorable assessment from the vetting services responsible for background checks. The decision has raised serious questions about internal procedures within the UK diplomatic system.

The controversy is linked to the broader political fallout surrounding Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington, a role he later left after criticism over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Reports published by The Guardian suggested that the Foreign Office granted Mandelson clearance in early 2025 despite the negative advisory report. The government, however, insists that neither the prime minister nor the then foreign secretary David Lammy were aware of the concerns raised at the time.

The affair has further weakened Keir Starmer’s administration, which has already faced political pressure over the handling of Mandelson’s appointment and subsequent dismissal.

Opposition figures have called for greater transparency, arguing that the incident raises questions about accountability at the highest levels of government. One senior aide to the prime minister previously resigned earlier this year amid related tensions within Downing Street.