Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAthena StavrouSaturday 18 April 2026 11:59 BSTRelated: Claims No 10 didn't know about Mandelson failing vetting 'rubbish', says Independent political editorSir Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, was sacked this week after approving Peter Mandelson's security clearance for the US ambassador role despite security services' recommendations against it.Lord Simon McDonald, a former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, accused Downing Street of throwing Sir Olly "under the bus" and seeking a "scalp" quickly.Lord McDonald described the incident as the "biggest crisis in the diplomatic service" since he joined in 1982.He argued that the vetting process is often nuanced and that Sir Olly was following legal procedures by maintaining confidentiality regarding the details.Downing Street claimed the prime minister only learned of Mandelson's clearance against advice on Tuesday, despite The Independent reporting concerns to No 10 seven months prior.In fullOlly Robbins has been ‘thrown under the bus’ by No 10 over Mandelson scandal, says ex-Foreign Office chiefThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in