The FDA represents Sir . Olly has today issued
proceedings requesting a Judicial Review of his dismissal as
Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service.
The Prime Minister has acknowledged that his decision to appoint
Peter as Ambassador to the United
States in December 2024 was a mistake. He should also admit that
sacking Olly was a mistake, based on a grievous misunderstanding
of how the National Security Vetting (NSV) system worked and a
rash response to a media story.
A point of principle is at stake, which affects all FDA members.
It damages the core values of a professional and impartial civil
service if its most senior officials can be dismissed on a Prime
Ministerial whim, without even the semblance of a fair process or
considered understanding of the core issue.
Olly's submission to the Court is that:
- 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
Following the request for Judicial Review of his dismissal, 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.
Olly will make no further comment at this time.
