A former senior British Foreign Office official says he was under “constant pressure” from the Prime Minister’s office to speed up Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, escalating a political row that is now threatening Keir Starmer’s leadership. Olly Robbins, the department’s most senior official until his dismissal last week, told a parliamentary committee that Number 10 showed a “dismissive attitude” toward security vetting for the appointment. It follows reports that independent officials recommended denying Mandelson clearance due to his past links to Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed calls for Starmer to resign after he insisted due process had been followed. France24 correspondent Benedicte Pavior tells us the latest from London.
Olly Robbins revelas "constant pressure"
Political Leaning Analysis
Score: 0.02 •
Center / Neutral
Left
Center
Right
Story Timeline
Thu 16:40 - Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Peter Mandelson failed vetting but was given UK ambassador to US job anyway - Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Thu 19:08 - the-independent.com
Peter Mandelson failed US ambassador vetting – but was given the job anyway - the-independent.com
Thu 20:26 - The New York Times
Mandelson, a Friend of Epstein’s, Became U.S. Ambassador Despite Failing Security Vetting - The New York Times
Thu 21:14 - Al Jazeera
UK’s Starmer under fire over report Mandelson failed security vetting - Al Jazeera
Thu 23:28 - La Repubblica (IT)
Epstein scandal, sensational new revelations about Mandelson: now Starmer could resign
Fri 04:00 - Sky News (UK)
Why didn't Starmer ask more questions about Mandelson?
Fri 08:24 - the-independent.com
Senior British official resigns over Mandelson appointment, but Starmer insists he won't go - the-independent.com
Fri 08:34 - The New York Times
Starmer Fires Senior U.K. Civil Servant Over Mandelson Revelations - The New York Times
Fri 10:31 - NYT Europe
Starmer Fires Senior U.K. Civil Servant Over Mandelson Revelations
Fri 10:57 - The Guardian
Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting - The Guardian
Fri 11:30 - Bloomberg.com
Starmer Can’t Escape His Mandelson and Epstein Nightmare - Bloomberg.com
Fri 12:53 - DW All
UK: 'Furious' PM Starmer refuses to step down over Mandelson
Fri 12:53 - DW Top
UK: 'Furious' PM Starmer refuses to step down over Mandelson
Fri 15:00 - PBS
Pressure builds as Starmer rejects calls to resign over Mandelson appointment in Epstein fallout - PBS
Fri 16:07 - BBC Politics
Key questions facing government over Mandelson vetting
Fri 16:38 - The Hill
Starmer 'furious' as Mandelson vetting revelation spurs calls for resignation
Fri 18:41 - NYT Europe
Starmer’s Credibility Just Took Another Body Blow Over the Mandelson Scandal
Fri 20:44 - Al Jazeera English
Starmer rejects calls to quit as pressure mounts over Mandelson vetting
Sat 06:22 - Sky News (UK)
Senior civil servants knew weeks ago that Mandelson had failed security vetting
Sat 07:29 - Euronews
Starmer faces calls to step down after appointing Epstein associate
Sat 08:31 - Gazeta Wyborcza (PL)
Great Britain: The opposition calls on the Prime Minister to resign. In the background is the case of the ambassador to the US linked to Epstein
Sat 08:43 - France 24
UK : Keir Starmer under pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal
Sat 12:32 - BBC Headlines
Why Starmer still can't move on from the Mandelson mess
Sat 19:58 - Al Jazeera English
Will Keir Starmer resign?
Sun 04:58 - BBC Headlines
Foreign secretary concerned ministers not told of Mandelson vetting fears sooner
Sun 23:32 - BBC Politics
Five questions awaiting Starmer as he faces Commons over Mandelson scandal
Mon 02:01 - Politico EU
Fatal flaw: Keir Starmer’s leadership vacuum threatens to swallow him up
Mon 04:20 - BBC Headlines
Newspaper review: 'Commons showdown' and 'Starmer fights for future'
Mon 06:36 - SRF International
Revelations about the Mandelson affair – Great Britain expert: “Keir Starmer doesn’t cut a good figure”
Mon 07:35 - Politico EU
The problem with Keir’s Mandelson defence
Mon 09:05 - BBC Politics
Chris Mason: PM facing awkward hours ahead as Mandelson questions remain
Mon 09:17 - France 24
UK's Starmer to face grilling from MPs over Mandelson scandal
Mon 09:50 - France 24
Eight days of vote counting and still no result in Peru
Mon 10:17 - France 24
UK PM Starmer under pressure over Mandelson's appointment as ambassador
Mon 10:26 - NYT Europe
Starmer to Address UK Lawmakers on Mandelson Vetting
Mon 13:42 - Aftenposten (NO)
Now everyone blames everyone. Who knew Peter Mandelson was not security cleared?
Mon 15:16 - La Libre (BE)
British Prime Minister at the heart of a political storm: “I take responsibility for this decision and I apologize”
Mon 15:45 - HLN (BE)
Starmer “accidentally” misled British parliament about Mandelson
Mon 16:08 - Euronews
UK PM Starmer admits Mandelson envoy appointment was a mistake amid Epstein row
Mon 16:42 - France 24
REPLAY: UK PM Starmer faces parliament over Mandelson vetting controversy
Mon 17:00 - BBC Politics
Key points from Starmer's Mandelson statement
Mon 18:08 - DW
UK: Starmer says he would't have appointed Mandelson as US envoy if he'd known he failed vetting process
Mon 18:08 - DW All
UK: Starmer says he would't have appointed Mandelson as US envoy if he'd known he failed vetting process
Mon 18:08 - DW World
UK: Starmer says he would't have appointed Mandelson as US envoy if he'd known he failed vetting process
Mon 18:08 - DW Top
UK: Starmer says he would't have appointed Mandelson as US envoy if he'd known he failed vetting process
Mon 19:54 - Politico EU
7 reasons Starmer can’t shake off the Mandelson vetting saga
Mon 20:41 - France 24
Starmer’s Mandelson 'gamble': Did political firepower trump diplomacy to appease Washington?
Mon 21:07 - Sky News (UK)
Trump weighs in on Mandelson scandal - as another bruising day beckons for Starmer
Tue 01:24 - BBC Headlines
The Papers: 'Starmer on collision course' and 'I didn't know I was fibbing'
Tue 03:52 - BBC Politics
Officials deliberately withheld Mandelson vetting result from me, Starmer says
Tue 05:58 - BBC Politics
Sacked civil servant to speak out in Mandelson vetting row
Tue 09:26 - Aftenposten (NO)
Former British foreign minister: Was pressured to approve Mandelson
Tue 09:48 - NRK (NO)
Fired Foreign Minister says he was subjected to pressure
Tue 09:51 - NYT Europe
Fired U.K. Official Describes ‘Pressure’ From Starmer’s Office for Envoy’s Appointment
Tue 10:52 - BBC Politics
Key evidence from sacked official at heart of Mandelson vetting row
Tue 11:41 - France 24
'Lame excuse': British papers not convinced by PM Starmer's Mandelson defence
Tue 12:16 - BBC Politics
Robbins's revelations are a dangerous moment for Starmer
Tue 12:20 - Washington Examiner
Fired UK official confirms ‘pressure’ to approve Mandelson: ‘As quickly as humanly possible’
Tue 13:02 - BBC Politics
No 10 had 'dismissive attitude' to Mandelson vetting, says ex-official
Tue 13:26 - BBC Politics
No 10 considered giving Starmer aide diplomat job, sacked official says
Tue 14:12 - France 24
Olly Robbins revelas "constant pressure"
Tue 15:00 - Politico EU
7 takeaways from Olly Robbins’ evidence on the Peter Mandelson vetting saga
Tue 16:14 - France 24
UK: No 10 had "dismissive attitude" to Mandelson's vetting