Britain Names Christian Turner as Ambassador to the US

[ad_1] Britain on Thursday named Christian Turner as its subsequent ambassador to america, handing the veteran diplomat one of many nation's most prestigious and politically delicate postings at a pivotal second for transatlantic ties. The appointment of a profession diplomat to the high-profile put up represents a shift in technique from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after his determination to ship in political appointee Peter Mandelson to construct relations with the Trump administration backfired earlier this 12 months. Mandelson was fired in September over supportive emails he despatched to convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein that got here to gentle, revealing a a lot nearer than beforehand acknowledged relationship.

Turner stated he was "honored" to tackle the function, describing the U.Ok.-U.S. partnership as "rooted in widespread values, shared safety and deep financial ties."

STARMER HAILS 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP'

Starmer stated Turner's appointment would assist reinforce Britain’s shut ties with Washington, describing his diplomatic expertise as key to sustaining and strengthening the long-standing partnership between the 2 nations.

"I warmly congratulate him as he begins his work to additional construct our robust financial and safety ties and ship for the British folks," Starmer stated. Turner, 53, had been appointed as Britain's subsequent ambassador to the United Nations in New York and was resulting from take up that function on the finish of 2025. He takes on the essential temporary of managing the U.Ok.'s relationship with the Trump administration at a time when the 2 nations are in open disagreement on points like free speech and vitality coverage, however are additionally working carefully collectively in different areas like AI expertise and ending the battle in Ukraine.

Turner stated he appeared ahead to working with the Trump administration to bolster the connection.

The White Home didn't instantly reply to a request for touch upon Turner's appointment.

A DIPLOMATIC CAREER LEADING TO TOP POSTING

Turner's appointment caps a profession spanning 20 years in overseas coverage and nationwide safety. A former historic documentary maker earlier than turning to diplomacy, Turner started his authorities profession within the Cupboard Workplace earlier than becoming a member of the overseas workplace in 2005.

He served as first secretary in Washington from 2002 to 2006, then as director for the Center East and North Africa throughout the Arab Spring.

He was the British excessive commissioner to Kenya from 2012 to 2015, the place he led Britain's response to the Westgate Mall assault and helped steer reconciliation efforts over Kenya's Mau Mau rebel. Later, he oversaw the London Syria Convention in 2016, which raised billions for refugees. Turner grew to become the prime minister's worldwide affairs adviser and deputy nationwide safety adviser in 2017, earlier than serving as excessive commissioner to Pakistan from 2019 to 2023 and most just lately because the overseas workplace's political director.

Previous to Thursday's announcement, Turner had pledged to make the U.N. "simpler and environment friendly at delivering peace, sustainable growth, human rights, justice and humanitarian help."

Mandelson, Britain's first political appointee to the U.S. ambassador function in a long time, was dismissed in September after emails revealed he had been shut sufficient to Epstein to name him "my finest pal" and had suggested him on looking for early launch from jail in 2008.

The federal government stated the depth of Mandelson's ties to Epstein appeared "materially totally different" from what was recognized on the time of his appointment. (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Modifying by Susan Fenton and Hugh Lawson)