Union questions PM’s comments on impact of FCDO restructure
30 Apr Foreign Affairs
Union questions PM’s comments on impact of FCDO restructure
“No evidence” to support Starmer’s assertion that international law unit’s work will “simply be done by a different team”, PCS says
FCDO: Report warns of need to invest in staff and systems
29 Apr Foreign Affairs
FCDO: Report warns of need to invest in staff and systems
International Development Committee report says department must ensure it maintains in-house expertise to make success of strategic shifts in aid and development policy
Ex-FCDO perm sec: Pressure to appoint Mandelson ‘about time not substance’
28 Apr Foreign Affairs
Ex-FCDO perm sec: Pressure to appoint Mandelson ‘about time not substance’
Philip Barton tells MPs that sacking of Olly Robbins has left government with “challenges” in relations between civil servants and ministers
McSweeney: I should have asked officials to question Mandelson about Epstein
28 Apr Foreign Affairs
McSweeney: I should have asked officials to question Mandelson about Epstein
Former No.10 chief of staff says he saw no evidence of a 'dismissive' attitude to vetting during process to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador
Cat Little: Cabinet Office staff advised that Mandelson should undergo developed vetting
23 Apr Foreign Affairs
Cat Little: Cabinet Office staff advised that Mandelson should undergo developed vetting
Little also says "due process was followed" throughout the vetting process
Robbins: FCDO insisted Mandelson undergo developed vetting despite 'dismissive' attitude from No.10
21 Apr Foreign Affairs
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 Foreign Affairs
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”
Strike ballot over FCDO job cuts fails to reach turnout threshold
21 Apr Foreign Affairs
Strike ballot over FCDO job cuts fails to reach turnout threshold
Union says it was “a handful” of votes short of securing an overwhelming mandate to oppose department’s restructuring plans
Former security chief ‘cannot comprehend’ basis for sacking Robbins
17 Apr Foreign Affairs
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
Mandelson vetting debacle: No.10 ‘put civil servants in invidious position’
17 Apr Foreign Affairs
Mandelson vetting debacle: No.10 ‘put civil servants in invidious position’
Union says Downing Street “allowed the impression to circulate” that UKSV had not done its job properly
FCDO perm sec Olly Robbins to leave over Mandelson vetting revelations
17 Apr Foreign Affairs
FCDO perm sec Olly Robbins to leave over Mandelson vetting revelations
Starmer faces calls to resign after it emerges officials overruled UKSV recommendation not to appoint Labour Party grandee as ambassador to Washington
Overseas aid spending fell 7.4% in 2025, provisional figures show
10 Apr Foreign Affairs
Overseas aid spending fell 7.4% in 2025, provisional figures show
FCDO statistics document decline in ODA distribution to £13bn, ahead of further reductions from next year