UK's next ambassador to Japan may be called to give evidence in Mandelson inquiry

"The UK's next ambassador to Japan could be called to give evidence over the decision to award Peter Mandelson security clearance against the advice of vetting officials. Corin Robertson was the Foreign Office's (FCDO) chief operating officer when she was involved in the decision in late January 2025 to grant Mandelson clearance, according to evidence given to MPs. Robertson, who is due to take up her post in Tokyo in August, is the only official among three top civil servants involved in the decision yet to be questioned by parliament."

"A source on the foreign affairs select committee, which is investigating Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US, said it would consider this week whether to call Robertson to give evidence. She could be asked to give evidence verbally, or respond to questions in writing. The committee is nearing the end of its investigation into Mandelson's appointment, but it is expected to wait until the release of further documents about the process, under the so-called humble address system, before reaching any final conclusions."

"The decision to grant Mandelson clearance was made by Olly Robbins, the FCDO's most senior civil servant. Robbins was sacked by Keir Starmer three weeks ago after the Guardian revealed he had granted Mandelson clearance despite the vetting agency recommending his clearance be denied. Starmer said Robbins's failure to inform him was unforgivable and he was furious about what had happened. Robbins has insisted he was right not to divulge to ministers information from the vetting process."

"Robbins and Collard said they had not read Mandelson's vetting summary document produced by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), relying instead on verbal briefings about its contents. Collard's evidence"

A UK parliamentary committee investigating Peter Mandelson’s ambassador appointment is considering whether to call Corin Robertson to give evidence about the decision to grant him security clearance against vetting officials’ advice. Robertson was Foreign Office chief operating officer when clearance was granted in late January 2025 and is due to take up a post in Tokyo in August. She is the only one of three senior civil servants involved who has not yet been questioned. The committee is nearing the end of its investigation but is expected to wait for further documents released under the humble address system before drawing final conclusions. The clearance decision was made by Olly Robbins, who was sacked after revelations he granted clearance despite UK Security Vetting recommending denial. Robbins and Ian Collard said they relied on verbal briefings rather than reading the vetting summary document.

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