Keir Starmer appoints career diplomat Christian Turner as US ambassador
Keir Starmer has appointed the career diplomat Christian Turner as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, replacing Peter Mandelson who was sacked over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.Turner, who was appointed ambassador to the UN in May, had previously been political director at the Foreign Office and had brokered a close relationship with the new Labour administration before taking up his UN role in New York.The Foreign Office is said to have pushed hard for an experienced diplomat to take the Washington job, as well as someone experienced enough to handle the turmoil of Donald Trump’s administration.Relations with the US have been strained in recent months by Trump’s apparent willingness to side with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine and his criticism of Europe, which he said was facing “civilisational erasure”.Some inside Downing Street felt Mandelson had done a decent job in Washington, including helping to foster relations between Trump and Starmer, but his scandalous departure ended up being damaging politically for the prime minister at home.
Turner was chosen over Starmer’s business adviser, Varun Chandra, who will take on an expanded role in Downing Street, and Nigel Casey, the ambassador to Russia.Chandra was initially considered favourite for the high-profile post, but Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, is understood to have lobbied against another political appointment.Starmer has managed to build an effective working relationship with Trump, and some government figures were concerned that a diplomatic ingenue could put that at risk, preferring to appoint an experienced diplomat instead.Confirming the appointment, the prime minister 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, who had not yet taken up the UN role, 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.”Turner previously served as the UK’s high commissioner to Pakistan and was first secretary in the British embassy under Tony Blair.
He is understood to have been in the running for the role of Foreign Office permanent secretary but lost out to Robbins in January,The US ambassador role has been vacant since Mandelson was sacked in September for failing to disclose the extent of his ties with the child sex offender Epstein,Mandelson was found to have urged the financier to “fight for early release” from jail in 2008 as he faced an 18-month sentence for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute,
Tom Jordan brings a smorgasbord of skills to Bristol’s Big Game at Harlequins
New Zealand rugby must still be unearthing loads of outstanding players. So many, in fact, that their talent spotters have grown increasingly blase. Because how on earth did someone, somewhere not spot the uncut diamond now twinkling on the far side of the world for Bristol Bears and Scotland?Let’s just run through the impressive menu of skills Tom Jordan will bring to today’s Big Game against Harlequins at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. Excellent distribution off both hands? Tick. A smart rugby brain? Tick
NFL playoff race: sepia-toned Bears v Packers rivalry takes center stage
Another week as the NFL winds up for the postseason offers a fresh look at contenders building for the Super Bowl. Jacksonville v Denver, yes please. Baltimore v New England, bingo. Pittsburgh v Detroit, hmm … OK. Still not satisfied? The strange lights of Saturday night over in the NFC North should do the trick with a sepia-toned showdown between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field
‘A great night for golf’: McIlroy hails Spoty success after individual and team awards
Moments before Rory McIlroy was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, and the cream of British sport rose to applaud him, a nervy thought raced through his mind. “I was, like, not an F1 driver again … ” he said.This time, though, there was no late twist. Lando Norris was unable to emulate Lewis Hamilton, who had pipped McIlroy when the Northern Irishman was a warm favourite in 2014. And with Europe’s Ryder Cup winners also being named team of the year, a delighted McIlroy was able to reflect on a blockbuster night for him and his sport
BBC outbid by TNT Sports for 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games will not be broadcast on the BBC next year for the first time since 1954, with TNT Sports buying the live UK rights for next summer’s event in Glasgow.The BBC is understood to have made an offer to continue its 72-year coverage but was outbid by TNT’s owner, Warner Bros Discovery, with the Commonwealth Games prioritising a larger financial offer above the bigger audience guaranteed by terrestrial television.TNT will broadcast 600 hours of coverage from the 11-day event in Glasgow and is understood to be exploring the possibility of making some of their coverage available free-to-air. For the Olympics, Eurosport – now TNT Sports – made live coverage from Paris available to streaming subscribers for £3.99, and plans to do similar for Glasgow
Travis Head tees up Bazball’s last rites in Adelaide but fatal blow was in Perth | Geoff Lemon
Anyone following this Ashes series, let alone writing about it, has wondered at which moment they can declare the death of Bazball. Maybe this is the joyless urge to destroy other people’s fun, maybe it’s righteous disapproval of some irritating aspects. All along, Bazball may have been a neighbourhood house party: great at your place, annoying next door.Anyone waiting to time their solemn announcement with the imminent series loss is out of date. Given its fuel is confidence, England’s high-octane approach probably died during their adrenal collapse in Perth, when dazed players looked around and wondered why their mouths tasted like lightning
Waste of Jacks’ talent speaks volumes for England’s bodged Ashes planning | Barney Ronay
For anyone still curious about the exact role of Will Jacks in this England Test team, the key is probably to see him as a kind of a tell, a set of entrails, a weather vane on the state of the game.The first rule of Jacks goes like this. If you can see Will Jacks on your TV screen, it’s bad. If Will Jacks is bowling when you wake up something has gone wrong. If Will Jacks is batting something has also probably gone wrong
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