As is often the case, the simplest explanation turns out to be the most convincing. Keir Starmer wanted Peter Mandelson to be our man in Washington come hell or high water. He and those around him in 10 Downing Street would brook no delay, recognise no roadblocks, accept no excuses.
Oliver ‘Olly’ Robbins, elevated to top Foreign Office mandarin as the Mandelson appointment process drew to a close, read the runes and cleared away the final hurdle.
No point getting in the way of the Starmer steamroller at this late stage, he concluded, especially since he was the new kid on the
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