Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

FCDO in Turmoil After Sacking of Top Official Amid Reform Program

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is facing internal crisis after Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Olly Robbins, the senior civil servant leading radical departmental reforms. Robbins was dismissed over security vetting lapses surrounding Peter Mandelson's failed appointment as US ambassador. The FCDO 2030 program aims to cut 2,000 jobs by decade's end, with staff currently undergoing a job-matching exercise. Insiders describe low morale and uncertainty, while the department faces multiple pressures including a diplomatic scandal involving ambassador Christian Turner's remarks about Israel.