James Roscoe, the deputy to Britain’s ambassador in Washington, has abruptly left his role.
Foreign Office officials declined to give any explanation for why Roscoe had, as they put it, “left his post”.
Until his sudden departure, Roscoe held one of the most senior, high-profile roles in the British diplomatic service, as second-in-command at the British Embassy in Washington.
He had also stood in for Lord Peter Mandelson for several months after he was sacked last year.
Roscoe was one of those tipped to take over the role, which ultimately went to another official, Sir Christian Turner.