LABOUR have appointed a new UK ambassador to the US following the sacking of Peter Mandelson.
Veteran diplomat Christian Turner, currently the UK’s permanent representative to the United Nations, will take the job vacated by Mandelson, who was sacked by Starmer in September after the extent of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
Relations with the US have been strained by Ukraine peace efforts and Donald Trump’s criticism of European allies.
Downing Street will now request Washington’s formal consent.
On the appointment, Starmer said: “The United Kingdom and United States have a very special relationship, and Christian’s extensive experience as an outstanding diplomat will support this uniquely close bond and ensure it continues to flourish.
“I warmly congratulate him as he starts his work to further build our strong economic and security ties and deliver for the British people.”
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Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said Turner “brings exceptional diplomatic experience and deep understanding to this vital role”.
Turner added: “I am honoured to be nominated to serve as the UK’s ambassador to the US. Our two countries share a historic partnership rooted in common values, shared security and deep economic ties.
“At a pivotal time for the transatlantic relationship, I look forward to working with President Trump’s administration, and leaders in Congress, business and society to strengthen that bond in the years ahead.”
King Charles appointed Turner after the Prime Minister approved the recommendation of the Foreign Secretary. He will take up the role subject to US agreement.
Turner was appointed the UK’s representative at the UN in May.
He previously served as political director of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and high commissioner to Pakistan.
The National told how Turner met with a pro-Israel lobbyist while in his top role at the Foreign Office, reportedly to discuss arms exports to Tel Aviv.
Also in the running were Nigel Casey, UK envoy to Russia, and the Prime Minister’s business adviser Varun Chandra, who helped negotiate a string of deals with the Trump administration including on pharmaceuticals.
Chandra was reportedly the frontrunner until Starmer was urged by the Foreign Office to appoint a career diplomat rather than a potentially more risky political appointment.
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Britain’s new top man in Washington faces a full in-tray, including dealing with Trump on his push to end the war in Ukraine, which has included suggestions he would support Kyiv surrendering territory to Russia.
Another source of tension in UK-US relations is the White House’s national security strategy, which claimed that Europe faced “civilisational erasure” and questioned whether the continent’s economies and militaries were strong enough for countries to remain reliable allies.
Meanwhile, earlier this week it was reported that the US had halted talks on a technology prosperity deal struck during Trump’s state visit to the UK.
Mandelson was sacked as the UK ambassador to the US in September after details of his relationship with Epstein were published.
Emails disclosed then showed that Mandelson was sending supportive messages to Epstein up until 2010 – including after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
But However, further documents published last month revealed Mandelson had been in contact with Epstein as late as 2016.
After the documents were revealed, Mandelson was caught urinating in a public street near former Tory chancellor George Osborne's townhouse in Mayfair, in London.
An investigation was subsequently launched by Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council into whether Mandelson committed an offence.
Mandelson remains a Labour peer in the House of Lords.
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