Committee publication · Correspondence · 18 November 2025
Correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary following up on the oral evidence session on 03 November 2025, dated 11 November 2025
From: Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Summary
Follow-up correspondence from the Foreign Office's Permanent Under-Secretary, Oliver Robbins, providing supplementary information requested after oral evidence on 3 November 2025. The letter confirms security vetting clearance for Sir George Hollingbery as UK Ambassador to Cuba, and clarifies Lord Llewellyn's ambassadorial appointments to France and Italy under previous and current governments.
Key findings
- Sir George Hollingbery completed National Security Vetting and received clearance before taking up his role as UK Ambassador to Cuba
- Lord Llewellyn was nominated to both France and Italy ambassadorships under Conservative governments
- Lord Llewellyn's appointment as UK Ambassador to Italy was reconfirmed by the current Government upon its taking office
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Oliver Robbins, Dame Emily Thornberry, Sir George Hollingbery, Lord Llewellyn, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Notable line
“Sir George undertook National Security Vetting and was granted clearance before he took up his role.”
Key Quotes
“I can confirm that Sir George undertook National Security Vetting and was granted clearance before he took up his role.”
“… he was nominated for both roles under Conservative governments, but his appointment as the UK Ambassador to Italy was reconfirmed by the current Government when it took office last year.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗