Just f***ing approve it': Extraordinary No10 Mandelson rant exposed as sacked official accuses Starmer of 'dismissive'attitiude to national security
By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR
Published: 03:14 EDT, 21 April 2026 | Updated: 08:57 EDT, 21 April 2026
Keir Starmer's hopes of surviving the Mandelson scandal were dealt a hammer blow today as his sacked Foreign Office chief said he was 'pressured' to wave through the appointment.
In explosive testimony to MPs, Sir Olly Robbins said Downing Street 'chased' the posting as US ambassador and was 'dismissive' of the need for any security vetting.
The Foreign Affairs Committee heard claims that Sir Keir's former chief of staff called Sir Olly's predecessor insisting: 'Just f***ing approve it.'
Opening another damaging flank, Sir Olly revealed that No10 tried to get Sir Keir's spin doctor Matthew Doyle a plum posting as a 'head of mission' abroad.
Lord Doyle later left Government, and has since been stripped of the Labour whip over campaigning for a councillor who had been charged with child sex offences.
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15750953/Ed-Miliband-says-warned-Mandelson-blow-Starmer-braces-sacked-Foreign-Office-chief-tell-story-TODAY.html
