Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

News · 21 April 2026

Starmer says Olly Robbins hid Mandelson vetting truth

Starmer says Olly Robbins hid Mandelson vetting truth

The PM acknowledged his choice of Peter Mandelson as ambassador was a mistake, because security details were withheld. Keir Starmer accused former Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins of purposefully hiding the truth about Peter Mandelson's vetting failure, which Robbins reversed just 24 hours later. He told MPs the Foreign Office should be blamed for failing to inform him or Downing Street about the vetting advice.

Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs

More briefs

WorldIran's unseen supreme leader urges Gulf countries to fight a shared enemy BusinessIceland supermarket boss tells the Chancellor to cut business taxes for employers GeneralNigel Farage's £5m donor has major stakes in arms industry PoliticsTreasury officials advise John Healey to tax banks and oil companies more HealthCorrecting hearing loss can cut dementia risk by almost half GeneralNotting Hill Carnival parade begins as Europe's biggest street party Browse all stories →