A senior union leader has accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of sending a "real chill throughout the civil service" following the controversial dismissal of a top Foreign Office official.
Dave Penman, head of the FDA union representing senior civil servants, told BBC Newsnight that the prime minister appears to be losing the ability to work effectively with government officials. "Who in the civil service would now think they would be immune from when it is politically expedient to be dismissed?" Penman questioned, adding that such an environment "doesn't deliver for the people of the country."
The controversy centers on Sir Olly Robbins, who was fired last week as permanent under secretary at the Foreign Office after giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee about the vetting process for Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington.
"I think the prime minister is losing the ability to work with the civil service. That's not a place any government wants to be because it doesn't deliver for the people of the country." — Dave Penman, FDA union leader
Starmer attempted to downplay tensions on Monday, telling MPs: "We have thousands of civil servants who act with integrity and professionalism every day." However, the dispute represents the latest fallout from revelations surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment last year.
Lord Sedwill, former head of the civil service, has called on the prime minister to "retract his accusations" against Sir Olly and reinstate him. In a letter to The Times, Sedwill defended Robbins' professional judgment, stating he "shouldered his responsibilities rather than shunting them."
Government supporters have portrayed Sir Olly's testimony as vindication that Starmer was unaware of specific vetting details. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the prime minister "acted fairly" due to a "fundamental disagreement" between the two men.
Sir Olly maintained to MPs that he was correct not to share certain information to protect the integrity of the vetting system.
The political fallout continues to escalate, with Labour MP Dan Carden describing the dismissal as "plain wrong" and warning it would "further damage the effective running of government." In contrast, fellow Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the select committee, supported the decision to remove Sir Olly.
This marks the seventh consecutive day that the Mandelson appointment controversy has dominated political discourse, diverting attention from planned government announcements and campaign events ahead of local elections. The prime minister now faces ongoing scrutiny as further documents related to the appointment are expected to be published in coming weeks.