Allies of Sir Olly Robbins say the PM sacked him without letting him explain his handling of Lord Mandelson’s failed security clearance for the Washington ambassador post. The PM says he asked for, then rejected, an explanation; Robbins’s supporters deny he was asked.

Former FO chief Sir Olly Robbins told MPs No 10 pressed officials to secure an ambassadorship for Matthew Doyle and to fast-track Peter Mandelson’s posting to Washington, while asking him not to brief David Lammy. Doyle later lost the Labour whip over links to an individual convicted of abuse.

An outlet says it warned No 10 seven months ago that Peter Mandelson had failed security checks, contradicting the PM’s claim he learned only this week. A prior report said MI6 had not cleared him, intensifying the vetting row and pressure on Downing Street.

PM accused of misleading MPs after Lord Mandelson allegedly failed security vetting before being named US ambassador, amid claims the Foreign Office overruled advice. Mandelson was later sacked over links to a disgraced financier and now faces a police inquiry, triggering calls for the PM to quit.