Peter Mandelson backtracks on 'ill-judged' Trump criticism after being appointed US ambassador
Peter Mandelson backtracks on 'ill-judged' Trump criticism after being appointed US ambassador
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Labour grandee, now Keir Starmer’s representative in Washington, described the Republican as a ‘danger to the world’ in 2019. The UK’s new ambassador to Washington has claimed that Donald Trump has won “fresh respect” as he sought to disown his previous criticism of the US President.
Lord Mandelson described the Republican as a “danger to the world” in 2019. But hours after it emerged that President Trump had approved his appointment, he told Fox News: "I consider my remarks about President Trump as ill-judged and wrong. I think that times and attitudes toward the president have changed.".
Referring to his second election as president, he said: "I think that he has won fresh respect. He certainly has from me, and that is going to be the basis of all the work I do as His Majesty's ambassador in the United States.". He added that with the many threats and challenges the world faces, it takes “courage, somebody, sometimes, who's prepared to be argumentative and, indeed, disruptive, not just take business as usual.".
"Frankly, I think President Trump could become one of the most consequential American presidents I have known in my adult life," he added. Mr Trump was said to be considering rejecting his nomination, in what would have been a major diplomatic headache for Sir Keir Starmer.
The Independent revealed last week that the extremely rare move was under consideration and that a decision was set to be made this week. While Lord Mandelson has been allowed to take up his post, it is understood that it will still come with conditions and the peer “will be kept on a short leash”, in part because of his past links with China.
