10 Jul 2019

British US ambassador Darroch resigns over emails criticising Trump

11:24 pm on 10 July 2019

Britain's ambassador to the US has resigned after his release of emails in which he branded President Donald Trump "inept".

In this file photo taken on January 18, 2017 British Ambassador Kim Darroch speaks at an Afternoon Tea hosted by the British Embassy to mark the U.S. Presidential Inauguration at The British Embassy in Washington, DC.

Photo: AFP / Paul Morigi / Getty Images 2017

Memos from Kim Darroch were leaked to a British Sunday newspaper, infuriating Mr Trump who tweeted both to the envoy and British Prime Minister Theresa May, who had given him her full support.

Mr Trump labelled Mr Darroch "stupid" and "wacky" over the leak.

Darroch resigned today.

"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 in his resignation letter.

"I want to put an end to that speculation," he added. "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like."

Mrs May told parliament after the resignation was announced that she had spoken to Mr Darroch, who was due to leave his post anyway at the end of the year.

"I have told him it is a matter of great regret that he has felt it necessary to leave his position as ambassador to Washington," she said.

- Reuters

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