Robbins: FCDO insisted Mandelson undergo developed vetting despite 'dismissive' attitude from No.10
21 Apr Politics & Constitution
Robbins: FCDO insisted Mandelson undergo developed vetting despite 'dismissive' attitude from No.10
Former FCDO perm sec Olly Robbins says his department did not "overrule" UKSV on granting DV clearance to Mandelson, but followed proper process to make its own assessment with "rigorous" independence
Starmer tells MPs it ‘beggars belief’ Mandelson vetting result was withheld
21 Apr Politics & Constitution
Starmer tells MPs it ‘beggars belief’ Mandelson vetting result was withheld
PM describes FCDO’s failure to pass on UK Security Vetting decision as “incredible”
Robbins sacking: Gus O'Donnell warns of 'serious' crisis in ministerial-civil service relations
20 Apr Politics & Constitution
Robbins sacking: Gus O'Donnell warns of 'serious' crisis in ministerial-civil service relations
Former cabinet secretary says the sacking of Sir Olly Robbins “risks having a serious and sustained chilling effect on serving and prospective civil servants"
Former security chief ‘cannot comprehend’ basis for sacking Robbins
17 Apr Politics & Constitution
Former security chief ‘cannot comprehend’ basis for sacking Robbins
Ciaran Martin says firing FCDO perm sec does not square with how the vetting process works, and will have chilling effect on civil servants
Review flags governance and culture issues at Troubles legacy body
16 Apr Politics & Constitution
Review flags governance and culture issues at Troubles legacy body
Northern Ireland Office plans further probe, following ex-NI Department of Health perm sec’s investigation
Ethics watchdog: Improving public understanding of standards landscape is 'most difficult' task
15 Apr Politics & Constitution
Ethics watchdog: Improving public understanding of standards landscape is 'most difficult' task
Doug Chalmers says low trust in politicians and public institutions leads to "disengagement", while the complexity of the governance system "makes some of it quite impenetrable"
Reform UK would break up cabinet secretary role into 'multiple jobs'
10 Apr Politics & Constitution
Reform UK would break up cabinet secretary role into 'multiple jobs'
Danny Kruger says the three main component parts of the cab sec role should be held by different people
Scottish Conservatives float plans for civil service cuts
09 Apr Politics & Constitution
Scottish Conservatives float plans for civil service cuts
Institute for Fiscal Studies warns back-office and administration savings won’t fund party’s spending plans
MPs call for ‘national centre’ to combat disinformation
30 Mar Politics & Constitution
MPs call for ‘national centre’ to combat disinformation
Foreign Affairs Committee says government needs to apply lessons learned abroad to protect UK democracy
Environment Agency and Natural England should be merged, MPs say
25 Mar Politics & Constitution
Environment Agency and Natural England should be merged, MPs say
Public Accounts Committee questions whether regulators have the resources and skills to manage upcoming changes
FCDO sets out detail on overseas aid cuts
20 Mar Politics & Constitution
FCDO sets out detail on overseas aid cuts
Changes “make the whole world more vulnerable”, International Development Committee chair warns
Mandelson transparency release reveals top officials’ reservations
12 Mar Politics & Constitution
Mandelson transparency release reveals top officials’ reservations
Sacked ambassador sought £547k severance payment over removal from Washington Embassy, papers show