UK Names Christian Turner as Ambassador to the United States

The UK appointed senior diplomat Christian Turner as the next British ambassador to the United States on Dec. 18, following the dismissal of Peter Mandelson from the role earlier this year.

Turner said he was honored to receive the appointment and remarked on the “historic partnership” between Britain and the United States, which he said was “rooted in common values, shared security and deep economic ties.”

“At a pivotal time for the transatlantic relationship, I look forward to working with President Trump’s administration, and leaders in Congress, business, and society to strengthen that bond in the years ahead,” the diplomat said, according to a statement from the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

Turner’s career in diplomacy spans two decades, with his most recent role as the FCDO’s political director from January 2023 to September this year.

Before that, he was the British high commissioner to Pakistan from December 2019 to January 2023. During the previous Conservative government, Turner served as the prime minister’s international affairs adviser and deputy national security adviser from 2017 to 2019.

From 2009 to 2017, he held various roles, including British high commissioner to Kenya and the director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Earlier in his career, from 1997 to 2008, Turner worked at 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office, and the Foreign Office, including as the first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington from 2002 to 2006.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement in response to Turner’s appointment that the UK and the United States “have a very special relationship, and Christian’s extensive experience as an outstanding diplomat will support this uniquely close bond and ensure it continues to flourish.”

“The Trump administration looks forward to working with Ambassador Turner to further enhance the strong relationship between the United States and United Kingdom,” White House spokeswoman Anne Kelly said.

Mandelson Fired

Turner was appointed to fill the role left by Mandelson, who was fired on Sept. 11  after correspondence came to light revealing the extent of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In emails published by Bloomberg, Mandelson described Epstein as his “best pal” and suggested that his first conviction in 2008 was “wrongful and should be challenged.”

The FCDO said in its statement confirming the dismissal that the emails “show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”

The department added that the former diplomat’s suggestion that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged was “new information,” and in light of those remarks, he was withdrawn from his role as ambassador with immediate effect.

Mandelson, a former MP, cabinet minister, and a key ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, had told The Sun in an interview at the time that he regretted maintaining his friendship with Epstein for so long and felt sympathy for the victims.

Guy Birchall and Reuters contributed to this report.