Britain appoints career diplomat Christian Turner as ambassador to the US
· The Straits TimesSummary
- Christian Turner is appointed UK ambassador to the US, a "pivotal role" given sensitive transatlantic relations.
- The move signals a strategy shift after Peter Mandelson was fired in September due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Turner, previously appointed UN ambassador for 2025, now manages UK/US ties amid disagreements and AI cooperation.
LONDON - Britain on Dec 18 named Christian Turner as its next ambassador to the United States, handing the veteran diplomat one of the country’s most prestigious and politically sensitive postings at a pivotal moment for transatlantic ties.
The appointment of a career diplomat to the high-profile post represents a shift in strategy from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after his decision to send in political appointee Peter Mandelson to build relations with the Trump administration backfired earlier in 2025.
Mr Mandelson was fired in September
over supportive emails he sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light, revealing a much closer than previously acknowledged relationship.
Mr Turner said he was “honoured” to take on the role, describing the UK-US partnership as “rooted in common values, shared security and deep economic ties.”
Mr Starmer said Mr Turner’s appointment would help reinforce Britain’s close ties with Washington, describing his diplomatic experience as key to maintaining and strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
“I warmly congratulate him as he starts his work to further build our strong economic and security ties and deliver for the British people,” Mr Starmer said.
Mr Turner, 53, had been appointed as Britain’s next ambassador to the United Nations in New York and was due to take up the role at the end of 2025.
He takes on the crucial brief of managing Britain’s relationship with the Trump administration at a time when the two countries are in open disagreement on issues
like free speech and energy policy, but are also working closely together in other areas like AI technology and ending the war in Ukraine.
Mr Turner said he looked forward to working with the Trump administration to bolster the relationship.
White House spokeswoman Anne Kelly told Reuters in an emailed statement: “The Trump administration looks forward to working with Ambassador Turner to further enhance the strong relationship between the United States and United Kingdom.”
A diplomatic career leading to top posting
Mr Turner’s appointment caps a career spanning two decades in foreign policy and national security.
A former historical documentary maker before turning to diplomacy, Mr Turner began his government career in the Cabinet Office before joining the foreign office in 2005.
He served as first secretary in Washington from 2002 to 2006, then as director for the Middle East and North Africa during the Arab Spring.
He was the British high commissioner to Kenya from 2012 to 2015, where he led Britain’s response to the Westgate Mall attack and helped steer reconciliation efforts over Kenya’s Mau Mau rebellion.
Later, he oversaw the London Syria Conference in 2016, which raised billions for refugees.
Mr Turner became the prime minister’s international affairs adviser and deputy national security adviser in 2017, before serving as high commissioner to Pakistan from 2019 to 2023 and most recently as the foreign office’s political director.
Prior to Dec 18’s announcement, Mr Turner had pledged to make the UN “more effective and efficient at delivering peace, sustainable development, human rights, justice and humanitarian assistance.”
Mr Mandelson, Britain’s first political appointee to the US ambassador role in decades, was dismissed in September after emails revealed he had been close enough to Epstein to call him “my best pal” and had advised him on seeking early release from jail in 2008.
The government said the depth of Mr Mandelson’s ties to Epstein appeared “materially different” from what was known at the time of his appointment. REUTERS