Sir Kim Darroch has quit as the UK ambassador to the US.
The UK’s most senior diplomat in the US stepped down following a row with Donald Trump after it emerged he had called the US President “inept” in confidential memos.
The US President responded on Tuesday by branding him “wacky” and a “very stupid guy”as the damaging diplomatic row escalated.
The fallout has sparked divisions in the Tory leadership race, with Boris Johnson refusing to back Darroch during a television debate with his leadership rival Jeremy Hunt.
Announcing his resignation in a letter, Sir Kim wrote: “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.”
A ‘very stupid guy’
In his secret memos dating from 2017 to the present, Darroch had said reports of in-fighting in the White House were “mostly true” and last month described confusion within the administration over Trump’s decision to call off a military strike on Iran.
“We don’t really believe this Administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept,” Darroch wrote in one cable.
The comments sparked an immediate backlash from the President, who lashed out at “foolish” Theresa May and her “wacky” Washington ambassador on Tuesday.
“The wacky Ambassador that the UK foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy,” Trump wrote, describing Darroch as a “pompous fool”.
Boris under fire over comments
The departure comes after Mr Johnson was asked in a television debate whether Darroch would retain his job under his government. He said he would not be so presumptuous as to think he would be in a position to take that decision.
He then said it was not “necessarily” the right thing for Trump to have said, but added: “Let’s face it, our relationship with the U.S. is of fantastic importance.”
In reaction, Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: “This is a personal tragedy for Kim Darroch. It is the inevitable result of a leak organised by dark forces who do down our country, and Boris Johnson’s failure to stand up for our sovereignty. Always personal ambition before country with Johnson.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “It is shameful that Kim Darroch has effectively been forced out for doing the job that diplomats are appointed to do. Boris Johnson’s failure last night to stand up for him – and stand up to the behaviour of Donald Trump – spoke volumes.”
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has described the resignation of Sir Kim Darroch from the position of UK ambassador to Washington as “The right decision.”
He tweeted: “Time (to) put in a non-Remainer who wants a trade deal with America.”
Mrs May has said she has told Sir Kim that it is a “matter of great regret” that he has felt it necessary to resign as the UK ambassador to Washington.
Jeremy Corbyn said he “regretted” the resignation.
British officials have launched an inquiry to find out who was responsible for the leak.
Yahoo News