Donald Trump is said to be threatening to block Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the next ambassador of Great -Britain in Washington, unless the British government agrees to impose tight limitations to his behavior.
The incoming Trump government would put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to bend for these “und diplatic” requirements or risk an unprecedented refusal of his chosen envoy. A source close to the Trump team claimed that the president remains determined to reject Lord Mandelson’s references, but could “give them” conditionally “with” a very short belt “.
During the weekend it was revealed that Mr Trump considered the rarely used tactic of rejecting the references of an ambassador. It is assumed that no British ambassador in the US, nor the American ambassador in the UK, has been rejected in this way.
Allegedly, much of the unrest from Lord Mandelson’s observed favorability compared to strong ties with China comes. The outreach from the Labor government to Beijing-included the recent controversial journey of Chancellor Rachel Reeves-Heijt Heelbrauwen erected in Washington. A source of the White House claimed: “It seems that the starmer government with China flirts like a fallback for a relationship with the US. Nobody here buys it; It is completely ridiculous and undermines the position of the British government. “
Downing Street officials have denied claims of a gap among Sir Keir’s senior advisers about the appointment of Lord Mandelson. Although Staff Chef Morgan McSweeney has been mentioned as a supporter, while the national security adviser Jonathan Powell is said to have reservations, a senior official insisted that such a suggestion was “absolutely not” accurate.
Nevertheless, the British Embassy in Washington is living alive for the concerns about the former European commissioner and cabinet minister. Lady Karen Pierce, the current ambassador, appeared an unexpected appearance on a Friday inaugural event organized by right -wing UK and American figures. Allegedly she asked several guests for their opinion about the proposed arrival of Lord Mandelson.
The presence of Dame Karen also led to speculation that it was intended to prevent Lord Mandelson from being present. Current and incoming ambassadors cannot appear at the same event under protocol rules, and the party was apparently intended to introduce Lord Mandelson to members of the inner circle of Mr Trump.
The Trump government is well aware that a refusal to accept Lord Mandelson would provide “a humiliation” for Sir Keir, who was not invited to inauguration – an important snub given the fact that other foreign leaders received invitations.
Tensions between the starmer government and the incoming team of the White House date from the UK Labor Party decision to send more than 100 activists to support Kamala Harris, Trump’s democratic rival, during the presidential campaign. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, a ally of Mr Trump, has used his social media platforms to criticize Sir Keir on issues, ranging from extreme right-wing riots in Great Britain to the prison of activist Tommy Robinson, with accusations that is work ” Anti-free speech ”.
At the same time, senior republicans are urging Mr Trump to explicitly support Nigel Farage and his reform of the British party in the following British general elections.
Downing Street has rejected reports of an imminent credibility crisis and calls about the possible rejection of Lord Mandelson through “speculation” of Washington. The risk of a diplomatic impasse, however, where insiders in Washington it is insisted that the starmer administration must tackle concern about the potential envoy’s track record – in particular with regard to China – if it is an unprecedented veto By avoiding President Trump.