Hell hath no fury like a disgruntled former employee – and, in this case, perhaps justifiably so. As Sir Keir Starmer scrambles to cobble together something resembling a legacy during his final week in the top job, one Sir Olly Robbins could stop him in his tracks.

The former top mandarin at the Foreign Office has announced that he is taking Keir to court, formally issuing proceedings seeking a judicial review of his dismissal as Permanent Secretary. Sir Olly famously joined the growing club of aides and officials scapegoated by the Prime Minister for his own failings in April this year. The softly spoken civil servant later earned plaudits for his measured and calm explanation to a select committee of why it was Sir Keir – rather than himself – who bore ultimate responsibility for the disastrous appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.

Announcing the legal action, Sir Olly said:

I bring this action reluctantly. It would have been unnecessary if the Prime Minister had simply apologised for his mistake and made amends for the distress and cost it has caused me and my family. Instead, I now have to ask the Courts to determine that the Prime Minister’s decisions were unlawful, unreasonable and to quash them.

Sir Olly’s submission to the court includes the following claims:

• The Prime Minister has asserted publicly that it was his decision to dismiss Olly, however the Prime Minister has no statutory authority to dismiss the Head of the Diplomatic Service;
• Not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all; and
• Insofar as Olly has been given reasons for his dismissal, they are irrational. Rather than being under a duty to tell ministers about the process leading up to the vetting decision, Olly was under an obligation not to. The process is independent of government ministers, who are only informed of the final outcome. This position was confirmed in a letter of 16 September 2025 that was signed by the Foreign Secretary, using text both drafted and approved by No.10

Sanctimonious Sir Keir has always preached that he puts his team first and stands up for his staff. The reality, evidently, is rather different. Starmer may have hoped to leave office with the last word – but Sir Olly appears determined to have the final judgment.