A former high-ranking official from the Foreign Ministry revealed on Tuesday that he had been under constant pressure from the office of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expedite the process of appointing his chosen candidate as the U.S. ambassador. This revelation has intensified a dispute that is casting a shadow over the British leader.
The dispute revolves around assigning blame for the appointment of Labour veteran Peter Mandelson to the top diplomatic post in Britain, despite his controversial history and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Critics are calling for Starmer’s resignation as the blame game escalates.
Starmer has admitted fault in appointing Mandelson and expressed remorse. However, he shifted the blame to officials for not informing him that a security vetting body had advised against the appointment, claiming that this crucial information would have prevented Mandelson from being hired as the new ambassador.
Olly Robbins, who was dismissed recently due to Starmer and Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper losing confidence in him, defended himself on Tuesday. He highlighted the pressure from Starmer’s office to expedite the process, indicating that the appointment was treated as a foregone conclusion.
Robbins revealed that there was constant pressure on his office and the foreign secretary’s office in January 2025, with frequent calls from Starmer’s 10 Downing Street private office. Starmer’s spokesperson refuted Robbins’s claims, emphasizing the difference between pressure and being kept informed about the appointment process.
Robbins also stated that the vetting body had raised concerns about the appointment, leaning towards not granting clearance—a message that Starmer alleges his government never received. These revelations are likely to further intensify the pressure on Starmer, who is facing calls to resign amid the ongoing scandal.
While some Labour lawmakers are not immediately pushing for Starmer’s ouster, concerns persist over the functioning of his Downing Street operation, with criticisms of a bunker mentality and lack of transparency. Additionally, revelations about efforts to secure an ambassadorial role for Matthew Doyle, the prime minister’s former senior communications director, have raised further eyebrows.
As the controversy unfolds, even senior ministers have subtly distanced themselves from Starmer regarding the Mandelson appointment. Energy Minister Ed Miliband acknowledged concerns about the situation potentially backfiring.