Olly Robbins, the former chief of the UK Foreign Office, is reportedly in discussions to assume a national security adviser role in the anticipated administration of newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham. This potential appointment comes less than three months after Robbins was dismissed by Labour leader Keir Starmer due to his controversial handling of the vetting process for Peter Mandelson, who was sacked over connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Insiders indicate that Robbins has engaged in 'early exploratory talks' with Burnham's team, which could signal a significant and contentious return to a high-profile government position. The situation raises alarms among senior Labour figures, particularly given Robbins' previous loss of confidence from Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. His defense of the vetting process and the lack of safeguards against security concerns have drawn scrutiny, especially following revelations about Mandelson's associations with influential figures in China, Russia, and Israel.
The controversy surrounding Robbins is compounded by the Foreign Office's refusal to provide a summary of Mandelson's security vetting to officials compiling documents related to his appointment as ambassador to the U.S. Despite these issues, Robbins reportedly retains support within Whitehall, where some senior civil servants believe he acted in line with No 10's wishes by facilitating Mandelson's clearance.
As discussions progress, the implications of Robbins' potential appointment could reverberate through the Labour Party and the broader national security landscape, particularly concerning the vetting processes for high-level appointments and the integrity of the national security establishment.