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Keir Starmer has appointed the career diplomat Christian Turner as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, replacing Peter Mandelson who was sacked over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Turner, who was appointed ambassador to the UN in May, had previously been political director at the Foreign Office and had brokered a close relationship with the new Labour administration before taking up his UN role in New York.
The Foreign Office is said to have pushed hard for an experienced diplomat to take the Washington job, as well as someone experienced enough to handle the turmoil of Donald Trump’s administration.
Relations with the US have been strained in recent months by Trump’s apparent willingness to side with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine and his criticism of Europe, which he said was facing “civilisational erasure”.
Some inside Downing Street felt Mandelson had done a decent job in Washington, including helping to foster relations between Trump and Starmer, but his scandalous departure ended up being damaging politically for the prime minister at home.
Turner was chosen over Starmer’s business adviser, Varun Chandra, who will take on an expanded role in Downing Street, and Nigel Casey, the ambassador to Russia.
Chandra was initially considered favourite for the high-profile post, but Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, is understood to have lobbied against another political appointment.
Starmer has managed to build an effective working relationship with Trump, and some government figures were concerned that a diplomatic ingenue could put that at risk, preferring to appoint an experienced diplomat instead.
Confirming the appointment, the prime minister said: “I’m delighted that Christian Turner has been appointed to be British ambassador to the United States of America. The United Kingdom and United States have a very special relationship, and Christian’s extensive experience as an outstanding diplomat will support this uniquely close bond and ensure it continues to flourish.
“I warmly congratulate him as he starts his work to further build our strong economic and security ties and deliver for the British people.”
Turner, who had not yet taken up the UN role, said: “I am honoured to be nominated to serve as the UK’s ambassador to the USA. Our two countries share an historic partnership rooted in common values, shared security and deep economic ties.
“At a pivotal time for the transatlantic relationship, I look forward to working with President Trump’s administration, and leaders in Congress, business and society to strengthen that bond in the years ahead.”
Turner previously served as the UK’s high commissioner to Pakistan and was first secretary in the British embassy under Tony Blair. He is understood to have been in the running for the role of Foreign Office permanent secretary but lost out to Robbins in January.
The US ambassador role has been vacant since Mandelson was sacked in September for failing to disclose the extent of his ties with the child sex offender Epstein.
Mandelson was found to have urged the financier to “fight for early release” from jail in 2008 as he faced an 18-month sentence for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
