Foreign Service

Earlier today Kim Darroch resigned from his position as UK Ambassador to the USA.

Sir Nigel Kim Darroch KCMG is a senior British diplomat, who has served as the British Ambassador to the United States since January 2016.

The announcement came immediately before prime minister’s questions. Speaking at the start, Theresa May said she had spoken to Darroch and told him it was “a matter of great regret that he has felt it necessary to leave his position”.

She told MPs: “Sir Kim has given a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. Good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice. I want all our public servants to have the confidence to be able to do that.”

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

I am surprised that someone who considered they have performed their duties correctly should take this step, however, I can understand that with the amount of publicity that this situation has created Sir Kim might have felt it was obviously the right thing to do, which makes me sad. He would have been given his instructions by the Queen and it is quite clear that he has upheld his position completely and his discretion has been compromised by the leak.