Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, used strong language during Olly Robbins’ evidence session on Peter Mandelson’s vetting controversy in the House of Commons on Tuesday, April 21.

The Heated Exchange

Sky News broadcast the hearing live. Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord questioned dismissed senior civil servant Olly Robbins, stating: “Morgan McSweeney, the former Chief of Staff, rang Sir Philip [Barton] and said in terms stronger than those that I can use before the watershed…”

Thornberry interjected: “I think you should.”

A flustered Foord replied: “Well, I will just say that it was, ‘Just to prove it’ with terms stronger than that. Does that accord with your impression of when you took over from Sir Philip?”

Thornberry then remarked: “Just f****** approve it.”

Addressing his predecessor Philip Barton, Robbins responded: “Certainly Philip’s handover to me has contributed to my strong sense that there was an atmosphere of pressure and a certain dismissiveness.”

Sky News Response and Viewer Backlash

A Sky News presenter quickly addressed viewers: “You’re watching Sky News bringing you live testimony from Westminster. Apology if any of the language there caused offence. This is a live evidence hearing at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. We are unable to govern the language used, but apologies again if you were offended by any of the subject matter just then.”

Social media users criticized the apology. One commented: “There was no need for that.” Another added: “Very funny, but there was no need for Sky News to apologise.”

Background on Robbins’ Dismissal

Officials sacked Robbins last week after Prime Minister Keir Starmer learned he had not been informed about Mandelson failing the vetting process for the US Ambassador role.

On Monday, Starmer told the House of Commons that officials intentionally withheld the information.

During the hearing, Robbins explained: “If you look at the documents submitted under the humble address, there is no stipulation from number 10 that he should be vetted. The welcome that was sent to him immediately afterwards doesn’t say welcome to the Foreign Office subject to vetting; the announcement put out on December 20 says that he will be out early in the new year, it does not say subject to vetting.”