British Ambassador to Washington Quits after Spat over Leaked Memos
LONDON – Britain’s ambassador to Washington quit on Wednesday after days of stinging criticism from Donald Trump, leading to accusations that Boris Johnson, the favorite to be the next British prime minister, had “thrown him under the bus”, Reuters reported.
Memos from Kim Darroch in which he described the Trump administration as inept were leaked to a British Sunday newspaper, infuriating the U.S. president, who launched a Twitter attack on both the envoy and outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May, who had given Darroch her full support.
As the spat between the two close allies intensified, Trump said he would no longer deal with the “very stupid” Darroch and called May “foolish”, according to Reuters.
Darroch said his position had become untenable, but supporters blamed Johnson, the former London mayor who could take over from May later this month, for refusing to back him.
In his statement he revealed that he wanted to “put an end” to the speculation around his future following the furore over the leaking of the damaging secret memos.
“The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like….Although my posting is not due to end until the end of this year, I believe in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador.”
Responding to the ambassador’s resignation in the House of Commons during PMQs on Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May said it was a “matter of regret” that Darroch had quit his post, according to RT.
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn insisted “I too regret the resignation of Sir Kim Darroch” and added that he thinks “the comments made about him are beyond unfair and wrong.”
The Foreign Office has confirmed that an inquiry into the leak has been launched, with British International Trade Secretary Liam Fox insisting that the “full force” of the law should be applied to the person responsible, who as yet remains unidentified.
H.M