Sir Keir Starmer faced backlash last night after appointing the architect of Britain’s handover of the Chagos Islands as national security adviser.
The Prime Minister gave the vital job of providing advice on major threats to Tony Blair‘s former right-hand-man Jonathan Powell – after cancelling the planned appointment of a top general.
Sir Keir previously made Mr Powell his ‘special envoy’ for negotiations over the Indian Ocean islands that are home to a strategically crucial military base. He later agreed to hand them over to China ally Mauritius.
The 68-year-old former diplomat is ‘uniquely qualified’ to become the Government’s most senior security adviser, the Prime Minister said – a prestigious role that comes with a salary of more than £190,000.
Sir Keir yesterday added: ‘Jonathan has devoted his career to protecting the interests of the country, having served for 17 years as a diplomat in the Foreign Office and ten years as Chief of Staff in No10, and I am delighted to appoint him to this important role.
Sir Keir Starmer faces a backlash after appointing the architect of Britain’s handover of the Chagos islands as national security adviser
The Prime Minister has handed the top job to Jonathan Powell, who was previously his ‘special envoy’ for negotiations over the Indian Ocean islands
‘He is uniquely qualified to advise the Government on tackling the challenges ahead and engage with counterparts across the globe to protect and advance UK interests.’
Mr Powell, who will replace Sir Tim Barrow next month, said: ‘I am honoured to have been appointed. This is a hugely important role at a time where national security, international relations and domestic policies are so interconnected. National security is at the heart of this country’s response to the many challenges we face and having an integrated response will be crucial to our success.’
But the Tories have criticised the appointment of a Labour bigwig instead of General Gwyn Jenkins – who had been lined up for the role before the election – and raised Mr Powell’s role in the Chagos debacle.
It could lead to tensions with the US if, as expected, President-elect Donald Trump deems the handover a risk to the Anglo-American base on Diego Garcia.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘Meet the new National Security Advisor, who trades away our national security to please the diplomatic elite.’
And a Conservative Party spokesman added: ‘It’s disappointing the Government have appointed another Labour apparatchik to a senior role.’
Former diplomat Mr Powell (pictured) is ‘uniquely qualified’ to become the Government’s most senior security adviser, Sir Keir said
Former No10 aide Henry Newman also pointed out that Mr Powell had been in Downing Street during the Iraq War. ‘This is a very big job for a politico and creates a new precedent for future governments,’ he said.
Mr Powell, whose brother Charles was a foreign policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher, was a Foreign Office diplomat in the 1980s and became Tony Blair’s chief of staff in 1995.
Meanwhile, the Guardian last night reported that a new UK ambassador to the US would be named within days. It is thought a Labour grandee will be given the coveted post in Washington, with David Miliband and Baroness Ashton the leading contenders.
Lammy in bid to stave off tariffs
David Lammy will try to persuade Donald Trump that hiking tariffs on UK exports is not in his interests.
The Foreign Secretary said he would ensure the President-elect is made aware that ‘hurting your closest allies’ is a bad idea.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy (pictured) will attempt to persuade Donald Trump that imposing tariffs on UK exports is not in his interests
His comments come amid fears that Britain’s economy will suffer at Mr Trump’s vow to slap 10 per cent tariffs on all goods imported into the US – including some £60 billion of trade from the UK. Mr Lammy told the BBC: ‘I believe they would understand that hurting your closest allies cannot be in your medium or long-term interests. We would seek to ensure… we were aligned and considered.’
Trade experts now expect leading Western economies to attempt to strike deals with Mr Trump to dodge the tariffs.