Sir Olly Robbins has said he does not fully understand the reasons behind his departure from government, telling MPs he remains in the dark over the circumstances that led to his removal.
Giving evidence to a parliamentary committee, the former senior civil servant said he had yet to receive a clear explanation for his sacking by Sir Keir Starmer’s government, suggesting the matter would need to be explored further through a separate process.
“I don’t fully understand the reasons that I’m in the position I am in,” he told the committee. “But that is for a separate process for me to try to get to the bottom of.”
His comments add another layer of controversy to an already politically sensitive hearing, which has focused on the handling of high-level appointments and the internal workings of Whitehall decision-making.
Sir Olly’s evidence comes amid heightened scrutiny of relations between ministers and senior officials, with questions increasingly being raised about accountability, communication and the handling of personnel decisions at the top of government.
The former mandarin went on to express deep personal regret at leaving his role, saying the departure had come as a significant emotional blow.
“As a human being, I’m desperately, desperately sad about it,” he said. “I love that job, I love that institution, I was proud to serve this Government and any government that might follow it.
“I hope I was doing it to the best of my ability. I was certainly doing it as hard as I possibly could. I had wonderful colleagues who I miss deeply and the issues we were dealing with, and my colleagues are still dealing with, are of profound importance to the success of this Government and the success of the country.
“It’s been the proudest part of my career to lead that institution because of their work, not because of mine. I just feel intensely proud of the people I’ve led and I wish them every success and wish I could still be with them.”
The remarks are likely to fuel further speculation in Westminster over internal tensions within Whitehall and the circumstances surrounding his exit, although Sir Olly did not directly allege wrongdoing in relation to his dismissal.
Downing Street has not yet commented on his evidence or his claims that the reasons for his departure remain unclear.
The hearing is expected to continue to draw political attention as MPs examine the broader handling of senior appointments and departures within government.
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