Sir Keir Starmer has appointed a career diplomat as Britain’s ambassador to the United States after Lord Mandelson was forced out over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The prime minister has chosen Christian Turner, who was appointed Britain’s representative to the United Nations in May. He previously served as high commissioner to Pakistan and Kenya and was first secretary in the British embassy in Washington under Tony Blair.
He was chosen over Nigel Casey, the ambassador to Russia, and Varun Chandra, the prime minister’s business adviser.
Varun Chandra
JASON ALDEN/WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Chandra was considered the favourite but was passed over after Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, lobbied against a political appointment.
Starmer is attempting to balance keeping the Trump administration onside with a “safety first” choice after the sacking of Mandelson in September because of his connections to Epstein, the late paedophile financier.
Turner’s appointment comes at a hugely sensitive time amid concerns that President Trump could side with Russia over the war in Ukraine. The US has also suspended a technology partnership that was agreed during Trump’s state visit to the UK after Britain refused to make concessions on imports of US agricultural products.
Senior figures in Trump’s administration publicly backed Chandra for the role. He had built close ties with American officials during discussions over the trade deal between the US and the UK.
Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, told The Times: “He brings urgency, discipline, and a commitment to outcomes to everything he does.”
Casey was seen by the Trump administration as another welcome choice. He has been friends with the US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, for several years.
Nigel Casey
TATYANA MAKEYEVA/REUTERS
By contrast Turner is a largely unknown entity to the Trump administration. Backed by senior figures in the Foreign Office, he will now have to start building relations with the president’s top team.
Colleagues of Turner said that he combined being a “seasoned hand” with being “a bit of a hustler”. During his tenure in Pakistan he built up a following of more than 250,000 people on X, the social media platform.
Some of his posts went viral in Pakistan including pictures of him litter-picking on his morning walk in Islamabad and his vocal support of a visit by the England cricket team.
Turner dances with Kenya’s Commonwealth team captain, Ezekiel Kemboi
DANIEL IRUNGU/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Turner previously worked in Washington as first secretary to the British embassy between 2002 and 2006. He met Trump and members of his first administration when he served as Theresa May’s international affairs adviser between 2017 and 2019.
Starmer said: “I’m delighted that Christian Turner has been appointed to be British ambassador to the United States of America. The United Kingdom and 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.
“I warmly congratulate him as he starts his work to further build our strong economic and security ties and deliver for the British people.”
Turner said: “I am honoured to be nominated to serve as the UK’s ambassador to the USA. Our two countries share an historic partnership 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.”
Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador after a cache of emails was leaked. They showed that Mandelson told Epstein in 2008 that he should “fight for early release” while he was awaiting sentencing for a child sex offence.