UK names Christian Turner as ambassador to US, replacing Mandelson

The United Kingdom on Tuesday named career diplomat Christian Turner as its new ambassador to the United States, Downing Street confirmed. The appointment comes after Lord Peter Mandelson was sacked by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer amid revelations involving his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Turner has spent nearly 30 years working across Whitehall and the Foreign Office, and he will assume the Washington post as London seeks to navigate a transatlantic relationship that has been strained by disagreements over Ukraine and by President Donald Trump’s approach to Europe. The White House said it looked forward to working with Ambassador Turner to further enhance the strong relationship between the United States and United Kingdom, according to Reuters. The Foreign Office said King Charles had formally appointed Turner, and the UK would seek official approval—or agrément—from the United States. Turner said he was "honoured" to be nominated for the position and added, "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’s background spans nearly three decades in Whitehall and the Foreign Office. He has served as political director at the Foreign Office, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, and Foreign Office Director for the Middle East and North Africa. He also worked in 10 Downing Street as private secretary to the prime minister. Before entering government, he worked in television documentaries. In a Foreign Office statement, Sir Keir said: "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." Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added Turner would bring "exceptional diplomatic experience and deep understanding" to the role.

Turner will face a heavy diplomatic brief upon taking up the post. Chief among his tasks will be coordinating with Washington on President Trump’s push to end the war in Ukraine, a path that European nations fear could undermine long-term security on the continent. A U.S. national security strategy document signed by Trump earlier this month argued that Europe was facing "civilisational erasure" and questioned whether certain European allies could remain reliable partners. There are also domestic concerns in Washington about UK online safety laws; some White House and congressional officials have described those rules as potential censorship and regulatory overreach that could affect U.S. tech firms.

The appointment comes as London has pursued closer ties with Washington. Sir Keir’s government hosted Trump on a second state visit in September, during which Trump praised the "unbreakable bond" between the two allies. Just days before the visit, Mandelson was dismissed after revelations about his Epstein connections, a decision Mandelson has said he regrets. The Ambassador to the United States post is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top diplomatic postings, and Downing Street and the Foreign Office stressed Turner’s breadth of experience as essential to navigating a challenging bilateral landscape. Turner’s appointment will proceed to the U.S. agrément process, with officials saying the two governments will work toward formal approval in due course.

The appointment underscores Britain’s aim of sustaining a strong, collaborative relationship with the United States even as it addresses internal controversies and external security challenges, including the war in Ukraine, defense commitments, and digital governance issues that cross the Atlantic.