Sir Keir Starmer picks Lord Peter Mandelson as new UK ambassador to Donald Trump’s US
Sir Keir Starmer has chosen Lord Peter Mandelson as the new UK ambassador to Donald Trump‘s US.
The news comes after the prime minister said he believed the Labour politican had the necessary trade expertise and networking abilities to bolster the UK’s interests during this delicate period of time.
It is a ‘delicate’ period that has seen frosty relations, with Mr Trump even saying he would implement tariffs on goods coming in from the UK.
There is also the awkward issue of Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s scathing criticism of Mr Trump over the years, which has included calling him a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath,’ ‘a tyrant in a toupee’ and ‘a dangerous clown’.
Mandelson previously served as First Secretary of State under Gordon Brown as well as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
He has held several other positions such as European Commissioner for Trade and has more recently been described as a “significant influence” on the office of Starmer and as a “core part” of his network.
It was previously speculated by senior Labour insiders in November that if Kamala Harris were triumphant, Labour peer Valerie Amos would stand the best chance of being put in the position.
Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time ‘nobody has spoken to me about it’, the sources said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump – and the experience to handle the critical trade negotiations.
Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time ‘nobody has spoken to me about it’, the sources had said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump
There is also the awkward issue of Foreign Secretary David Lammy ’s scathing criticism of Mr Trump over the years, which has included calling him a ‘woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath’
Mandelson previously ran to be Oxford University’s next chancellor but was pipped at the post by Lord William Hague of Richmond.
He did not, however, rule out ‘double-jobbing’ at the time as Britain’s next ambassador to the US and also the university’s chancellor.
The 71-year-old’s entry into the role represents nothing short of a remarkable political comeback as he last served in government 14 years ago.
Dame Karen Pierce is the current ambassador to the US and she will remain in the post until the end of January when Trump is inaugurated.
In his role, Mandelson will be able to enjoy the new lavishly renovated British embassy in Washington and the ambassador’s Queen Anne residence, which is the only building in North America designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Speaking to the BBC previously, Lord Mandelson said he was ‘more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one’ with the US.
He added: ‘Can I just make the point if you don’t mind: nobody has spoken to me about this job.
‘I read about it in the papers but nobody has actually spoken to me about it, so let’s put it to one side.’
Pressed on whether he would be interested in the Washington role, he said: ‘I would be very interested indeed in giving advice about trade to whoever is appointed.’
