Government settles legal challenge with dismissed Foreign Office chief

Sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins secured a six-figure payout after challenging his dismissal.

The British government reached an out-of-court financial settlement with Olly Robbins after he sought a judicial review over his removal as the top civil servant at the Foreign Office. Sir Olly had been dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier in the year regarding his handling of Peter Mandelson's vetting process. The resolution avoids a formal courtroom examination of the dismissal.

• The payoutSir Olly Robbins received a six-figure sum to resolve his legal challenge against the government.
• The dismissalPrime Minister Keir Starmer removed Sir Olly from his senior civil service role in April.
• The backgroundThe sacking followed questions surrounding the official vetting of Peter Mandelson for a diplomatic posting.

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