UK backs ambassador who says Trump is 'incompetent'
London has affirmed its full support for its ambassador to Washington, despite US President Donald Trump declaring he would not work with the British ambassador because he called him "incompetent".
The UK Prime Minister's Office and British leaders continue to defend Ambassador Kim Darroch after the leak of a memo calling Mr Trump "incompetent".
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| British Foreign Secretary Jeremy said that "free exchange of information and ideas" is the foundation of diplomacy. Photo: REUTERS |
"It's not a problem with the ambassador. It's a problem with the ethics of the individual who leaked the information" - the newspaperGuardianOn July 8, British Trade Minister Liam Fox was quoted as saying that criticizing the person who leaked the information was immoral and unpatriotic.
Previously, the newspaperMail on SundayOn July 7, the White House published memos about Mr. Darroch's comments about the Trump administration. In them, Mr. Darroch said that Mr. Trump is an "incompetent", "inappropriate", always radiating "insecurity" and "will end his career in bitterness".
The leak has angered Mr Trump and embarrassed the London government.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that although he did not agree with the entire report of Ambassador Darroch, he stressed that the foundation of diplomacy was "the free exchange of information and ideas, and the understanding that we do not always agree".
Previously, British Prime Minister Theresa May's office also affirmed its support for Mr. Darroch and rejected requests to remove him from office.
However, the US president still showed his displeasure. In a statement escalating the war of words with the UK, Mr. Trump on July 8 criticized Mrs. May and the British ambassador in Washington.
"She and her representatives have created a mess. I don't know this ambassador but he does not like or think well of the United States. We will no longer be dealing with him" - Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter on July 8.
In addition, Mr. Trump also criticized Mrs. May's handling of Brexit, saying that she ignored his advice during his visit to the UK in June.
"The great news for Great Britain is that they will soon have a new prime minister. When I enjoyed my state visit last month, the Queen was the one I was most impressed with!" - President Trump added.
