Former top UK civil servant Olly Robbins launches legal challenge over sacking in Mandelson vetting row

Olly Robbins, sacked as Foreign Office permanent secretary by Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Lord Mandelson's security clearance, has applied for a judicial review.

• Robbins submitted an application to the High Court challenging the lawfulness of his dismissal, the FDA union representing him announced.
• The FDA said Starmer lacked legal authority to dismiss Robbins and that the sacking involved "no fair procedure" and "no process at all."
• Robbins stated he brought the action "reluctantly" and would not have done so if Starmer had apologized for what he called a mistake.
• Starmer has previously said he sacked Robbins after not accepting his explanation for granting Mandelson security clearance despite vetting concerns.