Following the repeated abuse of US President Donald Trump, the British ambassador to Washington takes his hat off. Trump had described Kim Darroch as „crazy“ and „stupid“ after internal comments became public. In it, Ambassador Darroch had classified the US president as incompetent.
Since the leaking of official US Embassy documents, „there has been much speculation about my position and the duration of my term as ambassador,“ Darroch wrote in his resignation letter, „I want to put an end to this speculation.“ The current situation makes it impossible for me to perform my role as I would like. “
Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday she regrets Darrochs decision. Diplomats should be free to give information and advice bluntly. „I spoke to Sir Kim Darroch this morning and told him that I regret that he felt it was necessary to resign,“ May told the London Parliament. Darroch is considered one of the most experienced British diplomats. His term would have come to an end at the end of the year.
Trump: „Blown Depp“
Before, there had been a transatlantic dispute over Darroch for days. The British newspaper „Mail on Sunday“ had cited from the ambassador’s confidential memoranda over the weekend. In it, the government of Trump was described as „incompetent“. The President exudes uncertainty and act awkwardly, wrote Darroch. The estimates came from the period from 2017 to the present.
After the release, Trump reacted angrily and publicly. On Twitter, he described Darroch as a „crazy ambassador“, „stupid guy“ and „pompous idiot“. May was also abused by Trump. Her efforts to leave the EU have been a disaster, according to the US president. He told her how to act, but she ignored it. There is a „wonderful message“:
Soon Britain will have a new prime minister. Trump had also announced that he would no longer cooperate with Darroch. Darroch was struck off a guest list for a dinner on Monday that included Trump. He also missed the visit of British Trade Minister Liam Fox at presidential daughter Ivanka Trump.
May wanted to stick to Darroch
May had wanted to stick to Darroch. „The Ambassador remains in office and will continue to perform his duties with the full support of the Prime Minister,“ a government spokesman said on Tuesday. At the same time London tried to smooth the waves. The publicized excerpts from the internal reports did not adequately reflect the intensity of relations and their appreciation by Britain, a spokesman said.
„The United Kingdom has a special and enduring relationship with the US based on our long history and commitment to shared values, and it will continue to do so,“ said a spokesperson. However, the State Department said the British public expect Ambassador ministers to give an honest and unvarnished assessment of the situation in their countries. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labor Party, also regretted Darrochs resignation. He deserves thanks for his „first class“ work.
Dispute over Darroch also between premier candidates
The consequences of the leaks were also the subject of the TV duel between the two candidates for the British premiership on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt and his predecessor, Boris Johnson, opposed each other. Trump repeatedly commented positively on Johnson. He also did not want to decide if he would pull Darroch out of Washington if he was Premier. Johnson said he had a „good relationship with the White House,“ and it was important for Britain to have a strong relationship with its key partner.
Foreign Minister Hunt, on the other hand, backed Darroch. If he becomes Prime Minister, Darroch will remain ambassador to the United States. „Allies must treat each other with respect, and Theresa May has always done so with you,“ Hunt told Washington on Twitter.
