Britain’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States has reportedly suggested that the primary special relationship America holds is with Israel, based on leaked comments. Christian Turner, the ambassador, is said to have expressed dissatisfaction with the term “special relationship” when describing the ties between the UK and the US, citing it as outdated and laden with historical connotations. Despite this, Turner acknowledged a deep historical connection between the two countries, particularly in defense and security matters.
These leaked remarks come at a sensitive time as US-UK relations are strained due to fallout from the Iran conflict. Additionally, they coincide with King Charles’ ongoing state visit to America, adding further complexity to the situation. The Foreign Office clarified that these comments were made informally in February during an event with British students in Washington DC and do not reflect the official stance of the UK government.
In the leaked recording, Turner also discussed the crisis surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment and its potential impact on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. He mentioned the stringent process within the Labour Party rulebook for removing a Prime Minister, highlighting the challenges faced by Starmer in such a scenario. Turner speculated on potential outcomes based on the upcoming May elections, indicating that the party’s performance could influence decisions regarding Starmer’s leadership.
The Foreign Office emphasized that Turner’s comments were not representative of the UK government’s position and were intended for a private audience. The situation underscores the complexities and challenges within UK-US relations and the internal dynamics of the Labour Party.