Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Kim Darroch, has resigned after a series of leaked diplomatic cables revealed he told 10 Downing Street that the Trump administration was “inept” and “clumsy.”

The resignation, which was announced by the UK Foreign Office Wednesday, came after US President Donald Trump said Monday that the White House would no longer deal with Darroch.

In a letter to Simon McDonald, the permanent under secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Darroch said he wanted to “put an end to speculation” about his position and remaining term as ambassador.

“The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like,” he wrote. “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.”

In the cables, leaked to the Daily Mail newspaper, Darroch warned the UK government that Trump’s “career could end in disgrace,” and described conflicts within the White House as “knife fights.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday it was a “matter of great regret” that Darroch had felt it necessary to resign and that the government owed him an “enormous debt of gratitude.”

“Good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice,” May told the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions.

“I want all our public servants to have the confidence to be able to do that. And I hope the house will reflect on the importance of defending our values and principles — particularly when they are under pressure.”

In response to Darroch’s letter, McDonald said he accepted the ambassador’s resignation “with deep personal regret.”

“Over the last few difficult days you have behaved as you have always behaved over a long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class,” McDonald wrote. “The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and whole of the public service have stood with you: you were the target of a malicious leak; you were simply doing your job.” </s> Sir Kim Darroch has decided to resign as the UK ambassador to the US, the Foreign Office has said.

Sir Kim Darroch has decided to resign as the UK ambassador to the US, the Foreign Office has said.

Sir Kim Darroch resigns as UK ambassador to US following war of words with Trump

The move comes after Donald Trump dramatically stepped up the war of words yesterday over Sir Kim Darroch's email leak at the weekend, branding him a "pompous fool".

In his latest explosive tweets, the president complained that Sir Kim Darroch was a "very stupid guy" who had been foisted on the US.

He also again attacked Theresa May over Brexit, accusing her of ignoring his advice and "going her own foolish way".

His latest intervention came as the Cabinet reiterated its full support for Sir Kim following the leak of a series of diplomatic dispatches in which he branded the US administration as "inept".

Mr Trump said: "The wacky ambassador that the UK foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy.

"He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled.

"I told Theresa May how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way - was unable to get it done. A disaster!

"I don't know the ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool.

"Tell him the USA now has the best economy and military anywhere in the world, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger.

Mr Trump said earlier in the week that he would "no longer deal" with the British ambassador, after the weekend news report that the UK diplomat had described Trump’s administration as dysfunctional, clumsy and inept.

"I do not know the Ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the U.S. We will no longer deal with him," Trump said in a Twitter post that also criticised outgoing UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

"What a mess she and her representatives have created. I told her how it should be done, but she decided to go another way," he said. "The good news for the wonderful United Kingdom is that they will soon have a new Prime Minister. While I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent State Visit last month, it was the Queen who I was most impressed with!" he wrote.

Trump attacked Ambassador Kim Darroch on Twitter a day after the Mail on Sunday newspaper reported he had made the critical comments, citing a series of confidential memos.

In memos to the British government which date from 2017 to the present, Darroch said Trump “radiates insecurity” and advises officials in London that to deal with him effectively “you need to make your points simple, even blunt.”

Trump also dismissed the ambassador on Sunday as not having "served the UK well." Britain's government has told Washington that leaks of the memos were a matter of regret, May's spokesman said on Monday. </s> Sir Kim Darroch, the UK ambassador to Washington who has been at the centre of a diplomatic row over leaked cables criticising Donald Trump, has resigned his post, the Foreign Office has said.

In a letter to Simon McDonald, the most senior official at the Foreign Office, Darroch said the row, in which Trump has called the ambassador “a pompous fool” and “very stupid”, meant he could not continue.

“Since the leak of official documents from this embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador,” he wrote.

“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.”

In response to Darroch’s letter, McDonald said that he accepted the resignation with “deep personal regret” and praised him for behaving throughout the controversy “as you have always behaved over a long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class”.

McDonald added: “The prime minister, foreign secretary and whole of the public service have stood with you: you were the target of a malicious leak; you were simply doing your job. I understand your wish to relieve the pressure on your family and your colleagues at the embassy; I admire the fact that you think more of others than yourself.”

Speaking in the House of Commons shortly after the news emerged, Theresa May praised Darroch for “a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom”. She added: “We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. I hope the house will reflect on the importance of defending our values and principles particularly when they are under pressure.”

Jeremy Corbyn called the treatment of Darroch “beyond unfair and wrong” and said that he had given “honourable and good service”.

“The whole house should join together in deeply regretting the feeling he’s got that he must resign at this moment,” he said. </s> LONDON — Britain's ambassador to the United States resigned Wednesday, just days after diplomatic cables criticizing President Donald Trump caused embarrassment to two countries that often celebrate having a "special relationship."

The resignation of Kim Darroch came a day after Trump lashed out at him on Twitter describing him as "wacky" and a "pompous fool" after leaked documents revealed the envoy's dim view of Trump's administration.

"I am grateful to all those in the UK and the US, who have offered their support during this difficult few days," Darroch said in a letter. "This has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries. I have been deeply touched."

Prime Minister Theresa May said it was a "matter of regret" that Darroch resigned.

Darroch's forthright, unfiltered views on the U.S. administration — meant for a limited audience and discreet review — appeared in leaked diplomatic documents that were published in Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper.

Trump combined criticism of Darroch with a broadside at May, chiding the British leader for failing to get her Brexit deal with the European Union through Parliament.

"I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster!" Trump tweeted Tuesday. "I don't know the Ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool."

The resignation offers May a chance to replace him before she leaves office at the end of July. </s> • Foreign ambassadors have told the New York Times that the diplomatic community in Washington DC concurs with the withering assessment of the Trump administration provided by former UK ambassador Sir Kim Darroch in leaked diplomatic cables.
• “It could have been any of us,” one serving ambassador told the Times, after Sir Kim’s resignation Wednesday.
• In the leaked cables Darroch described the Trump administration as “clumsy and inept.”
• A former US diplomat said that Trump’s public attacks on Sir Kim could place US diplomats abroad in danger.

Current and former ambassadors have told the New York Times that former British ambassador Sir Kim Darroch’s withering assessment of the Trump administration is a view shared by many diplomats in Washington.

One serving ambassador who spoke to the Times on condition of anonymity said of the leaked memo which ultimately led to Darroch’s resignation: “It could have been any of us.”

Darroch on Wednesday resigned after coming under public attack from Trump, who ridiculed him as “wacky” and “a very stupid guy” in a tweet, and said the White House would refuse to have any dealings with him.

In leaked cables published by the Mail on Sunday, Sir Kim had provided a negative assessment of the Trump administration which he described as “clumsy and inept,” and said the president “radiates insecurity.”

One former ambassador confirmed that other foreign ambassadors have the same view of Trump’s presidency as Darroch.

“Yes, yes, everyone does,” Gérard Araud, former French ambassador to the US who left his post in April, told the publication. “But fortunately I knew that nothing would remain secret, so I sent them in a most confidential manner.”

He went on to describe the unique difficulties foreign officials have encountered in dealing with Trump.

“It’s what happens when a populist leader takes command in a liberal democracy. These people don’t recognize or accept the idea that an ambassador or a bureaucrat could be of any use. They only want to deal with other leaders.”

Read more: Boris Johnson called a ‘Donald Trump patsy’ after throwing the UK’s ambassador to US ‘under a bus’

Sir Kim’s resignation Wednesday and Trump’s public ridiculing of him has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community in Washington DC.

In his resignation letter, Sir Kim said that the leaked cables made his position untenable.

“The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like,” he wrote.

Brett Bruen, a former US diplomat and Director of Global Engagement under the Obama administration, said that Trump’s actions could even place US diplomats in danger.

“I worked in countries where the leaders didn’t like what we said about human rights & democracy,” Bruen tweeted Wednesday.

“Trump has now given them the precedence for publicly insulting and punishing ambassadors for what they say about how they govern, even privately.” </s> The Latest: Trump lashes out again at UK ambassador

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the dispute between the Trump administration and the British ambassador (all times local):

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out for a second day at Britain's ambassador to the United States, describing him as "wacky" and a "pompous fool," after a leak of emails critical of the American administration.

The series of tweets came hours after Prime Minister Theresa May stood by Kim Darroch amid the controversy over the release of the documents published in the Mail on Sunday newspaper. Darroch's forthright views have created awkwardness between two countries who often celebrate having a "special relationship."

Trump tweeted Tuesday: "The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy."

Trump also criticized May for failing to get her deal on leaving the European Union through Parliament.

Prime Minister Theresa May's office has reiterated her full support for Britain's ambassador to the United States after President Donald Trump cut off contact with him following the leak of diplomatic cables that branded the U.S. administration as "inept."

May has stood by Kim Darroch amid the controversy over the release of the documents published in the Mail on Sunday newspaper. Darroch's forthright views have created awkwardness between two countries that are longtime allies.

British officials said they were hunting for the culprit behind the leak.

May's Downing Street office says that while the leak is unfortunate, "Kim Darroch continues to have the prime minister's full support."

In a series of tweets, Trump also attacked May, accusing her of "making a mess" of Britain's departure from the European Union. </s> In this Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 photo, British Ambassador Kim Darroch hosts a National Economists Club event at the British Embassy in Washington. Leaked diplomatic cables published Sunday, July 7,2 019, in a British newspaper reveal that Britain’s ambassador to the United States described President Donald Trump’s administration as “clumsy and inept” while grappling with international problems. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will “no longer deal” with the British ambassador to the United States following the leak of frank cables assessing his administration.

Trump says of the ambassador, Kim Darroch, “I do not know the Ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the U.S.” He tweets, “We will no longer deal with him.”

Darroch’s cables branded Trump’s administration “dysfunctional” and “inept.” He also said there are doubts about whether the White House “will ever look competent” and that the only way to communicate with Trump is by being simple and blunt.

The leaked documents were published by the Mail on Sunday, and pointed to stress in the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. that has held strong since World War II. </s> President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on Britain's ambassador to the United States on Tuesday as Prime Minister Theresa May reaffirmed her support for the diplomat whose leaked emails called Trump's administration "inept."

In a series of tweets, Trump branded Kim Darroch a "wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States," adding that he was "not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy." May's office described the email leaks as "unfortunate" but insisted that Darroch would continue to carry out his diplomatic duties for the time being.

The confidential memos leaked Sunday to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper contained stinging criticisms of Trump's White House, portraying it as "clumsy" and completely absorbed by "infighting and chaos." The emails date back to 2017. Trump said Monday he would no longer deal with Darroch. He called him "insecure" and "incompetent."

The latest tweets from the president went a step further as he labeled Darroch a "pompous fool." Trump claimed not to know the ambassador but he has met him a few times, including recently during his state visit to Britain. Darroch was disinvited to a dinner with Trump and Qatar's emir on Monday, according to U.S. and British officials. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn pay tribute to Sir Kim Darroch's service

Sir Kim Darroch has resigned as UK ambassador to the US, as a row over leaked emails critical of President Trump's administration escalates.

Theresa May said Sir Kim's departure was "a matter of deep regret" after the ambassador said it was "impossible" for him to continue.

Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson has faced strong criticism for failing to fully support him.

President Trump said on Monday that the US would not deal with Sir Kim.

The US president had branded him "a very stupid guy" after confidential emails emerged where the ambassador had called his administration "clumsy and inept".

In a letter to the Foreign Office, Sir Kim said he wanted to end speculation about his position: "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like."

His resignation has prompted widespread support for Sir Kim as well as criticism of Tory frontrunner Boris Johnson.

According to some Whitehall sources, Sir Kim decided to resign after Mr Johnson refused to support him during the Tory leadership debate on Tuesday night, said BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale.

Mr Johnson was asked repeatedly by fellow leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt whether he would keep Sir Kim in post if he became prime minister, but refused to answer.

It is understood Mr Johnson spoke to Sir Kim on the phone on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources close to Mr Johnson said that he praised Sir Kim's dedication and hard work and claimed the conversation was warm and cordial.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt clashed over future of UK's top diplomat in the US

Following Sir Kim's resignation, Mr Johnson said he was "a superb diplomat" and whoever was responsible for the leak "has done a grave disservice to our civil servants".

Asked why he was not more supportive of Sir Kim, he said it was "wrong to drag civil servants into the political arena".

Europe Minister Sir Alan Duncan - who backs Mr Hunt in the leadership contest - said it was "contemptible negligence" of Mr Johnson not to support Sir Kim.

"He's basically thrown this fantastic diplomat under a bus to serve his own personal interests," he said.

However, Sir Michael Fallon - a supporter of Mr Johnson - told BBC Newsnight Sir Kim's position became untenable "long before the debate on Tuesday night" and he understands the ambassador did not watch it.

The backlash against Mr Johnson was "a shabby attempt to politicise" the affair and the leadership contender had "made it clear he supports all our diplomats", he said.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Sir Alan Duncan says Boris Johnson has "thrown our top diplomat under a bus"

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Johnson wanted a "sweetheart trade deal" with the US and his lack of support for Sir Kim "shows he won't stand up to Donald Trump".

Tory MP and chairman of the Commons' foreign affairs committee Tom Tugendhat said in a tweet: "Leaders stand up for their men. They encourage them to try and defend them when they fail."

Fellow Tory leadership candidate and Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt told the BBC Sir Kim was "doing his job" and his resignation was "a black day for British diplomacy".

Mrs May said Sir Kim had had the full backing of the cabinet and he was owed an "enormous debt of gratitude" for his "lifetime of service" to the UK.

Public servants should be able to give "full and frank advice", she added.

Analysis

by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent

So was it Boris Johnson what done it? Was the failure of the former foreign secretary to defend Sir Kim in last night's Tory leadership debate the crucial factor in the ambassador's decision to resign?

Without Sir Kim speaking publicly on the subject, we are reliant on others to speak for him.

And certainly, according to well-placed sources in Whitehall, Mr Johnson's decision to avoid criticising President Trump and his lack of support for Sir Kim was said to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

If you are an embattled diplomat under fire from your host country, you need cover from London. And if that is lacking from the man tipped to be your next boss, you realise the writing is on the wall.

Certainly, there is genuine anger across Westminster and Whitehall at Mr Johnson's refusal six times last night to come to the aid of our man in Washington.

Mr Johnson's supporters have offered varying counter theories. Some have accused Mr Hunt's supporters of politicising the resignation.

Others have insisted that the decision had been made before the debate, once Mr Trump declared he would no longer deal with Sir Kim.

Realising they were on the receiving end of potentially damaging criticism, Mr Johnson's aides also let it be known that he called Sir Kim this afternoon and praised his dedication and hard work.

The problem is that few in Westminster were giving much credence to these defences.

In the House of Commons, Theresa May pointedly urged MPs to "reflect on the importance of defending our values and principles, particularly when they are under pressure".

It was not hard to decipher what she was talking about.

Head of the diplomatic service Sir Simon McDonald said it was the first time in his career that a head of state had refused to work with a British ambassador.

He described the leak as "malicious" and told Sir Kim: "You are the best of us."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham - a supporter of President Trump - said Sir Kim had done "an outstanding job" as ambassador and his resignation was "a chilling moment".

"Ambassadors need to be able to talk to their governments without fear of being compromised," he said.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Mr Johnson pictured with Sir Kim in 2017 while he was in Washington DC as foreign secretary

In a letter to Sir Kim, Cabinet Secretary and civil service head Sir Mark Sedwill said that while he understood his reasons for resigning it was "a matter of enormous regret that you were put in this position after a shocking betrayal of trust".

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said he was "enraged" by the situation and morale in the senior ranks of the civil service had taken "a very heavy blow".

Former head of the civil service Lord O'Donnell told the BBC Sir Kim's successor could be chosen within two weeks - while Mrs May is still prime minister.

President Trump could well wake up this morning thinking he has the power to veto who the UK has as its ambassador.

It wasn't his more colourful remarks on Twitter that really ended Sir Kim's time, but Mr Trump's public announcement that he would no longer work with him.

The effects of that were felt immediately. There was a banquet that Sir Kim was immediately dis-invited from. Next, he couldn't attend an event with minister Liam Fox.

It was clear he was being frozen out and for an ambassador access is everything. Without it, it's impossible to do the job.

More broadly, it's like this... There's never been parity in the special relationship between the UK and US - it's never been a relationship of equals but right now it seems particularly lopsided.

The US knows that Britain is fairly isolated right now internationally and needs the US more than ever. Donald Trump has wielded that power mercilessly in this row.

In the emails leaked to the Mail on Sunday, Sir Kim said: "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."

The emails, dating from 2017, said rumours of "infighting and chaos" in the White House were mostly true.

The government has opened an internal inquiry into the publication of the memos and police have been urged to open a criminal investigation.

Downing Street confirmed there had been some "initial discussions" with police regarding the leak and if there was concern about criminal activity they would become involved "more formally".

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said it was "deeply worrying" diplomatic cables had ended up in the public domain.
Sir Kim Darroch, the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States, resigns his appointment amid public disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump initiated by a series of leaked diplomatic cables in which the ambassador criticized the president, and will leave the post upon the appointment of his successor.