Robbins' Departure: A Proud Farewell from Foreign Office

0:00On April 21st, Sir Ali Robbins got sacked last week by Prime Minister Keir Starmer from his role as permanent secretary at the Foreign Office. And testimony to MPs this week. He expressed deep pride in his former colleagues, and said he wishes he could still be working alongside them. He took the job back in January 2025, just as Lauren Mandelson's developed vetting security process was already rolling. Robbins pointed out a dismissive attitude from number 10 toward that whole vetting effort. Folks close to the scene note his strong attachment to the department, and the vital issues they handle, calling it the proudest stretch of his career. Because of the team's hard work, committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry reassured him that the tough spot would pass. He's still scratching his head over the exact reasons for his dismissal, and plans to sort that out through a separate review. With his diary now wide open, he kept things light amid the serious talk. Robbins's old team presses on, with those high stakes challenges, Robbins steps back proud and rooting for their success in steering the country forward.