Sir Kim Darroch, Britain's envoy to Washington, has stepped down from his post, after the leak of his unflattering remarks about US President Donald Trump.
Rabat – The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office confirmed that 65-year-old Sir Kim Darroch’ resigned from his post as British ambassador to the USon Wednesday, July 10, 2019. The diplomat’s resignation came amid the eruption of a diplomatic row between the US and the United Kingdom.
“The current situation makes it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like,” Sir Kim said following the leak to the Daily Mail newspaper of critical comments about the Trump administration.
Some of the British ambassador’s remarks addressed the Trump administration as “uniquely dysfunctional, clumsy and inept.”
“That tranche of documents – diplomatic telegrams – was leaked by either a politician or civil servant who is sympathetic to Donald Trump and wanted to embarrass the ambassador,” said Al Jazeera’s Laurence Lee from London.
Following the leak, Trump launched on Monday, July 8, a volley of tweets against UK Prime Minister Theresa May. The tweets also state that the United States would “no longer deal” with the British diplomat following the leak of his assessments.
“The wacky Ambassador that the UK foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with,” US President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday, July 9. “I don’t know the Ambassador but have been told that he is a pompous fool,” added the American president.
Inquiry
In the meantime, Britain has launched an inquiry to investigate the leak of the diplomat’s confidential memos which caused the backlash from the US president. .
“Contact has been made with the Trump administration setting out our view that we believe the leak is unacceptable,” UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesperson told reporters.
In response, Trump took on twitter to criticize May’s handling of Brexit,
saying she disregarded his advice.
“What a mess she and her representatives have created,” Donald Trump wrote. “The good news for the wonderful United Kingdom is that they will soon have a new Prime Minister.”
“While I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent State Visit last month – it was the Queen who I was most impressed with,” the US President added.
Just last month, Donald Trump enjoyed his visit to the UK and talked to the historic and deep links between the two countries.
Hours after Trump’s tweet, May’s spokesperson reiterated Britain’s initial stance on the leak’s unfortunate nature. The spokesperson added that Sir Kim “continues to have the prime minister’s full support” over the matter.
Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt, one of two men who might replace May as prime minister by the end of the month, said: “I have made it clear that I don’t share the ambassador’s assessment of either the US administration or relations with the US administration.”
Hunt added that “I do defend his right to make that frank assessment.” Diplomats serving abroad are obliged to send honest assessments to their home country’s government, as part of their mission.
Hunt promised “serious consequences” for whoever had leaked the memos.
In fact, this is not the first time this year that confidential UK government information has been leaked to the public.
In May 2019, May fired Defense Minister Gavin Williamson after secret discussions in the National Security Council about Chinese telecoms firm Huawei were disclosed to the media.
An inquiry is currently in progress to determine who is behind the second serious leak of confidential material this year. May’s spokesperson said police would be involved if any evidence of criminality is found.
