Senior British Diplomat in Washington Quits Abruptly

James Roscoe, the second most senior British diplomat in Washington, has left his post without public explanation. The British Foreign Office issued only a brief statement: "James Roscoe has left his post".

According to the Times, he faced questions over leaks from a classified security meeting concerning a US request to use British military bases at the start of the war with Iran.

Roscoe's departure is a further strain on British-US relations. His predecessor, Peter Mandelson, lost his post following revelations about his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson's successor, Christian Turner, subsequently came under pressure after remarks in which he questioned the "special relationship" between Britain and the US were leaked.

The departure also comes amid public disagreement between Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war with Iran. Roscoe had been based in Washington since 2022 and previously served Queen Elizabeth II.

(reuters, bak)