Nigel Farage Refuses to Apologise for 'Enemy Within' Civil Service Comments
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has made no apology for previously describing senior civil servant Olly Robbins as "the enemy within" during a local election visit to Sedgley. Despite the inflammatory language, Farage praised Robbins' professionalism while criticising his actions during Brexit negotiations.
Mandelson Security Vetting Controversy
The comments resurfaced amid controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's failed security vetting process for the role of Britain's ambassador to the United States. Robbins left his position as senior civil servant at the Foreign Office after it emerged Mandelson had not passed the necessary security checks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism after claiming he was never informed about Mandelson's failed vetting, prompting Farage to question the Prime Minister's account during an LBC Radio interview where he described Robbins as "one of the most professional civil servants in the country."
Farage's Defence of His 2018 Remarks
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on April 21, Farage defended his 2018 European Parliament comments where he accused Robbins and his team of sabotaging Brexit negotiations. "There is a rogue element in these negotiations," Farage had declared at the time. "It's the British civil service, Olly Robbins's team, they signed up to the European dream, they are now out to sabotage Brexit, they are the enemy within."
On the campaign trail in Sedgley, Farage elaborated: "I've praised him as a civil servant and an operator, I haven't praised what he has done, especially over Brexit. It was treacherous what he did, didn't mean he wasn't good, you can disagree with people but respect they are good."
Stalin Comparison and Brexit Criticism
Farage drew a controversial comparison to justify his position: "The reason the Brexit deal was so badly screwed up is he was so good at what he did. Stalin was quite brilliant politically, I don't like him very much but there you are. He was good at what he did and Robbins the same."
The Reform UK leader accused Robbins of undermining former Prime Minister Theresa May during Brexit negotiations: "He completely subverted Theresa May at that moment in time, he went round the back of David Davis, who was forced into resigning as Brexit secretary, totally hoodwinked the Prime Minister and left us in a hell of a mess."
Questioning Starmer's Account
Farage turned his attention to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces opposition calls to resign over the Mandelson appointment controversy. "There is no way someone like Robbins would risk their entire career by making a small procedural mistake," Farage asserted. "In fact, probably you'll find people like him are masters of procedure, so he has become a fall guy for a prime minister who clearly isn't telling the truth."
He added: "I do not believe a guy of that level of experience would have risked his entire career making a silly error like that, no way. But in 2018 he just got it wrong basically."
The comments highlight ongoing tensions between political figures and senior civil servants, particularly regarding Brexit legacy issues and current government transparency concerns.
