The Cabinet Secretary Cat Little has now given evidence to the Foreign Affairs committee. It’s worth updating on what else we now know
First of all, Little has acknowledged that Olly Robbins was correct in terms of due process. The expected process was that security vetting paperwork would not be shared outside of the vetting service. We also need to hear her evidence that Robbins did not share the paperwork with her in that context. It wasn’t his paperwork in his possession and he believed he was following procedure in the interests of National Security
However, we do know that someone did ask to see the paperwork, if after the event and that it was not the PM. This means that Keir Starmer should have known before last week that it wasn’t available but at no point did he make that clear. He should have explicitly stated that noone in no 10 had at any point seen the vetting documentation. Additionally it amplifies the point that he did not ask the questions.
We also know that at some point the cabinet office had agreed with the need for security vetting. I don’t think that this contradicts Sir Oliver’s evidence that some people were questioning the need for it.
Additionally, Little has said that she hasn’t found documented evidence of undue pressure on the Foreign Office. However remember that the pressure Robbins described was oral and to do with the decision making environment. Little was not in post or involved at the time so she has rightly recognised that she cannot comment.
It is worth remembering that despite the press take, civil servant, including ex civil servants are not seeking to either defend the PM or get revenge. They are not political in this. Their sin is to help provide information to give greater understanding of the decision making process
This means that politicians will be putting their own spin and interpretation on things. So be cautious when politicians on either side claim to be vindicated.
For what it is worth, I don’t think that the evidence this week comes anywhere close to supporting Sir Keir and actually it leaves him with more questions to answer. Obviously he wants to defend himself and that is his prerogative.
Faithroots 