Sir Olly Robbins sues over dismissal, risking PM's power over civil service

The former head of the diplomatic service has launched legal action against the government, with his union arguing Prime Minister Keir Starmer lacked authority to dismiss him. A successful challenge could constrain the prime minister's power to remove permanent secretaries across Whitehall, affecting how ministers handle security-vetting confidentiality and ministerial accountability—an outcome either government or the civil service will view with concern.