Donald Trump is reportedly still threatening to block Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s next ambassador to Washington, unless the UK government agrees to impose tight restrictions on his conduct.
The incoming Trump administration is said to be pressuring Sir Keir Starmer to bow to these “undiplomatic” demands or risk an unprecedented refusal of his chosen envoy. A source close to the Trump team claimed the president remains determined to reject Lord Mandelson’s credentials but might grant them “conditionally” with “a very short leash”.
It was revealed over the weekend that Mr Trump was mulling the rarely used tactic of rejecting an ambassador’s credentials. No British ambassador to the US, nor American ambassador to the UK, is believed to have been turned away in this fashion.
Much of the disquiet reportedly stems from Lord Mandelson’s perceived favourability towards strong ties with China. The Labour government’s outreach to Beijing – including Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent high-profile trip – has raised eyebrows in Washington. A White House source claimed: “It seems the Starmer government is flirting with China as a fallback for a relationship with the US. Nobody here is buying it; it’s completely ridiculous and undermines the British government’s position.”
Downing Street officials have denied claims of a rift among Sir Keir’s senior advisers over Lord Mandelson’s appointment. Although chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been mentioned as a supporter, while national security adviser Jonathan Powell is rumoured to have reservations, a senior official insisted any such suggestion was “absolutely not” accurate.
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