UK’s new ambassador to US said Starmer had been ‘on the ropes’ over Mandelson scandal
Summary
The UK’s new ambassador to the US, Christian Turner, privately said that Labour leader Keir Starmer was "on the ropes" due to the Peter Mandelson scandal. He also stated that Israel, not the UK, has a true "special relationship" with the United States, comments that caused embarrassment for the UK government during a royal visit to the US.Key Facts
- Christian Turner became the UK ambassador to the US in February, replacing Peter Mandelson.
- Turner said Starmer’s political position was shaky because of the Mandelson scandal but predicted Starmer might stay if Labour did well in the May elections.
- Mandelson was removed from his role last year for misleading the UK prime minister about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Turner said the special relationship between the UK and US is mostly nostalgic and that Israel has the real special relationship with the US.
- These remarks were made privately to UK students visiting the US and were not official government positions.
- The Foreign Office said Turner’s comments were informal and not meant to reflect government policy.
- Turner was chosen as ambassador for his diplomatic experience after Mandelson’s troubled appointment.
- There is ongoing criticism and fallout related to Mandelson’s security vetting and ties to Epstein.
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