(Image: PA)
The UK Government has settled with 'scapegoat' Sir Olly Robbins over his dismissal for his alleged role in the Lord Mandelson scandal**.**
Sir Robbins has reached an out-of-court settlement with the Government after his dismissal by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as the top civil servant in the Foreign Office, his union – the FDA – has said.
The former mandarin started proceedings in July to request a judicial review regarding his dismissal from the Foreign Office.
The FDA, the union for managers and professionals in public service, said it is "pleased" that the Government has settled out of court to rectify the circumstances surrounding Sir Oliver Robbins’s departure from the civil service.
Sir Robbins said: “I am grateful for all the support and good wishes from former colleagues, friends and strangers, which have helped me and my family during this difficult time. I want to thank the FDA for their assistance in reaching this settlement and I am looking forward to moving on to the next chapter of my life."
The value of the settlement was not confirmed.
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Dave Penman FDA General Secretary said: “This settlement may bring an end to the Judicial Review proceedings, but this whole unprecedented affair has damaged the bond of trust between civil servants and ministers, which is essential to the effective running of Government.
"The scapegoating of Sir Oliver, to mask the misjudgement of the previous Prime Minister, marked one of the lowest points in the recent history of civil service-ministerial relations - which is quite the feat.
"We urge the government to clarify quickly the issues raised by this affair over ministerial involvement in the vetting process.”
Submissions for the case claimed that Sir Keir Starmer had no statutory authority to dismiss him as the head of the diplomatic service, and that there was “no fair procedure” and “no process at all” in the dismissal.
It also says Sir Olly was given “irrational” reasons for being fired.
A Government spokesperson said: “Sir Oliver Robbins KCMG CB has had a distinguished public service career over three decades, including most recently as Permanent Under-Secretary at FCDO, as well as previously as the Prime Minister’s Europe Adviser, Second Permanent Secretary at the Home Office and as Deputy National Security Adviser.
"The Government has reached a settlement with Sir Oliver following his dismissal. We will not be commenting further on HR matters.”