Sir Kim Darroch has resigned as British ambassador to the United States after a tumultuous few days since his private memos about Donald Trump were leaked to the press. The president slammed Sir Kim as ‘stupid’ and ‘wacky’ following the release of the confidential memos in which the ambassador said the president’s administration was ‘inept’.
In a letter to the head of the Foreign Office, Sir Simon McDonald, Sir Kim said he believed it was ‘impossible’ for him to carry on in his current role. He wrote: ‘Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador. I want to put an end to that speculation. ‘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. ‘I am grateful to all those in the UK and the US, who have offered their support during these difficult few days.
This has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries. I have been deeply touched. Theresa May announces that Sir Kim Darroch has resigned Play Video Loaded: 0% 0:00Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time 0:00 / Duration Time 0:55 Fullscreen ‘I am also grateful to all those with whom I have worked over the last four decades, particularly my team here in the US.
The professionalism and integrity of the British civil service is the envy of the world. I will leave it full of confidence that its values remain in safe hands.’ His decision came after President Trump said the White House would no longer have any dealings with him following the leak of the dispatches describing him as ‘dysfunctional’.
Theresa May said she spoke to Sir Kim this morning and told him his decision to resign was a matter of ‘great regret’. On Tuesday the president branded the prime minister ‘foolish’ over her handling of Brexit in a series of tweets attacking her and Sir Kim. The President of the United States said: ‘The wacky Ambassador that the UK foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy.
‘He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled. Donald Trump called Theresa May ‘foolish’ in a Twitter attack after turning on the British ambassador (Picture: Rex) Boris Johnson has been busy pulling pints in Wetherspoons in London today while on the campaign trail (Picture: Reuters) ‘I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. ‘A disaster! I don’t know the Ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool.
’ He also stated that while he enjoyed his state visit to the UK last month ‘it was the Queen who I was most impressed with’. In a televised debate on Tuesday, Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson repeatedly refused to say whether he would keep Sir Kim in the post if he became prime minister. Mr Johnson was today accused of throwing the ambassador ‘under a bus’ by junior foreign minister Alan Duncan. Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the commons foreign affairs committee also tweeted: ‘Leaders stand up for their men. They encourage them to try and defend them when they fail.’ His comments have been seen as a reference to Mr Johnson’s TV debate appearance.
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