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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his appreciation for civil servants who speak candidly to those in power, amid what he described as a “unsettling” time for the civil service. His message comes in the wake of the dismissal of former Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins, who was removed after it was revealed he had approved Lord Mandelson’s security clearance for the UK’s ambassadorial role in the US despite concerns raised by other officials.
Sir Olly was sacked last month following revelations that he did not inform Sir Keir about granting security clearance to Lord Mandelson, even though security issues had been flagged. The Prime Minister conveyed to Members of Parliament that he was “staggered” by officials in the Foreign Office withholding such information from ministers. In response, Sir Olly maintained before a parliamentary committee that he adhered to proper procedures while facing persistent pressure from Number 10 to sanction Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
In a letter addressed to government employees across Whitehall, Sir Keir acknowledged the recent challenges the civil service is facing but emphasized that these incidents do not define the institution. He reinforced the importance of a culture where information is openly shared, risks are identified early, and collaborative problem-solving takes precedence in preventing crises. Sir Keir underscored that trust and transparency between ministers and officials remain fundamental to the functioning of the constitution.
Meanwhile, an investigation is underway to determine whether Sir Olly received appropriate information before approving the ambassadorial security clearance. This inquiry is being led by retired judge Sir Adrian Fulford. Sir Keir, in his communication to civil servants, assured them that although processes are being rectified, the core value placed on their role and honesty remains unchanged. Yet, this reassurance has drawn criticism from some quarters. Dave Penman, head of the FDA trade union representing senior civil servants, warned that Sir Keir’s actions had created a “real chill” among staff, raising fears about job security when decisions become politically motivated. Others, including Lord McDonald, former head of the diplomatic service, criticized the swift and seemingly unfair way Sir Olly’s removal was handled, suggesting it was politically driven and lacked due process.
Within Whitehall, reactions to the Prime Minister’s letter have been mixed, with some civil servants describing his remarks as “tone deaf.” One official commented feeling “exposed by a PM who has thrown the cabinet secretary and permanent secretary at the foreign office under a bus to deflect criticism.” Another compared Sir Keir’s approach unfavorably to that of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, claiming similar patterns of contempt masked by comforting language. Moreover, there is concern that mistrust between ministers and civil servants could foster greater risk aversion across government departments going forward
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