Civil servants told to QUIT if they disagree with Labour’s stance on Gaza – prompting furious unions to lash out at ‘reprehensible’ top officials
Civil servants have been told to quit if they disagree with the Government’s stance on Gaza, it has been revealed.
The Foreign Office’s two most senior officials, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, responded to a letter by 300 staff raising concerns about Israel‘s conduct.
The staff letter, seen by the BBC, was sent to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month and warned of ‘complicity’ in Israel’s actions.
It also questioned continued British arms sales to the country and what they branded a ‘stark… disregard for international law’ by Israel.
In their response to the letter, Sir Oliver and Mr Dyer told staff their ‘ultimate recourse is to resign’ if they disagree with Government policy.
They insisted they wanted to see a ‘healthy challenge’ to policy but said it was up to civil servants to deliver on the will of the Government.
The senior officials’ response sparked a furious backlash from trade union bosses.
Fran Heathcote, of the PCS union, said it was ‘simply reprehensible’ to suggest staff should quit if they are ‘uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do’.
Displaced Palestinians walk past the ruins of destroyed buildings along the Gaza shoreline
A letter by 300 Foreign Office, sent to Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month, warned of ‘complicity’ in Israel’s actions
Sir Oliver Robbins, who previously oversaw Brexit negotiations under ex-PM Theresa May, is now the most senior official at the Foreign Office
The staff letter, which follows several other similar missives to civil service chiefs, was signed on May 16, it was reported.
The signatories said: ‘In July 2024, staff expressed concern about Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law and potential UK Government complicity.
‘In the intervening period, the reality of Israel’s disregard for international law has become more stark.’
They went on to list the killing by Israeli forces of 15 aid workers in March, and the blockade on aid into Gaza, among their concerns.
They added that ‘supported by the Trump administration, the Israeli government has made explicit plans for the forcible transfer of Gaza’s population’.
In their reply, Sir Oliver and Mr Dyer said: ‘If your disagreement with any aspect of Government policy or action is profound your ultimate recourse is to resign from the civil service. This is an honourable course.’
The Government has repeatedly warned that Israel is ‘at risk’ of breaching international law with its actions in Gaza.
Mr Lammy halted 30 out of around 350 arms sales licences to Israel in September last year, for fear they may be used for war crimes.
But MPs critical of Israel’s actions have called on ministers to go further, and to halt all UK arms sales to the country.
Ms Heathcote said: ‘The response from Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer to the concerns of staff in FCDO is consistent with the attitude displayed by civil service management all along, in that it is hopelessly inadequate.
‘There has been little effort to address our members’ concerns and no effort to justify the UK Government’s interactions with the government of Israel, despite our genuine concerns over its potential failure to comply with its obligations under international and domestic law.’
She added: ‘As for the suggestion that civil servants may wish to resign if they are uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do – this is simply reprehensible.
‘It is a dereliction of duty and a startling ignorance of the provisions of the civil service code, which require all civil servants to act in accordance with the law, including international law.’
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘Since day one, this Government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.
‘One of our first acts in Government was to suspend export licences that could be used by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza.
‘We have successfully implemented the suspension decision and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications.
‘We have suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition which could be used in Gaza.
‘We have also suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement, while supporting humanitarian efforts through the restoration of funding to UNRWA, and the commitment of over £230 million in assistance across the past two financial years.’
They added: ‘It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the civil service code.
‘There are systems in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them.’
