Why Robbins was dismissed

The olly robbins payout brings to a close a dispute that began with his removal in April as the Foreign Office's top civil servant. Starmer dismissed him after it emerged that Robbins had overturned a recommendation from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) to deny clearance for Mandelson, who was later sacked over the extent of his links to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

At the time, Downing Street said Robbins had lost the confidence of Starmer and Yvette Cooper, then foreign secretary, over his handling of the vetting.

The vetting concerns itself centred on Mandelson's associations:

• •UKSV had raised concerns about his links to senior figures in China, Russia and Israel
• •His relationship with Epstein was not among the reasons for denying clearance

Legal challenge and union response

Rather than accept the dismissal, Robbins applied to the high court for a judicial review of the prime minister's decision to remove him. His legal submission argued that Starmer had no statutory authority to dismiss him as head of the diplomatic service, that there was no fair procedure, that he was given 'irrational' reasons for being fired, and that there had been 'no process at all'.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, was scathing about the affair. He said it had damaged the bond of trust between civil servants and ministers.

Penman called the scapegoating of Sir Oliver, to mask the misjudgment of the previous prime minister, one of the lowest points in recent civil service-ministerial relations, and urged the government to clarify quickly the issues raised over ministerial involvement in the vetting process.

Robbins himself issued a statement on Friday, saying he was grateful for all the support and good wishes from former colleagues, friends and strangers, which have helped me and my family. He also thanked the FDA for its assistance in reaching the settlement and said he looked forward to the next chapter of his life.

How the payout compares

The settlement is believed to be a six-figure sum, though it falls short of the record £860,000 given to former cabinet secretary Chris Wormald, who was forced out by Starmer after a year in the role.

Unanswered questions

The settlement does not settle every controversy around the Mandelson vetting affair. Senior civil servants reportedly believed Robbins had in effect been sacked for doing what No 10 wanted by swiftly passing Mandelson through vetting. The Commons foreign affairs select committee said Robbins believed he was delivering the outcome that was wanted, and that his dismissal seems to have been taken without full due process and the establishment of the facts.

Other issues remain open:

• •The Foreign Office refused to hand over a summary of Mandelson's security vetting to the official compiling documents on his appointment as US ambassador, despite a Commons motion
• •Questions remain about the defence Robbins mounted, both of his own actions and the system, and the lack of mitigation for the security concerns

Penman said the settlement may bring an end to the judicial review proceedings. The government will ultimately have to publish how much it has given Robbins in a settlement.