UK Ambassador: US Special Relationship Only With Israel, Not Britain

Questioning the 'Special Relationship'

During the question-and-answer session, Turner expressed his discomfort with the phrase "special relationship" when describing UK-US ties, calling it "rather nostalgic, backward-looking, and carrying a lot of baggage." He then delivered the bombshell assessment that has dominated headlines across Britain.

"I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States — and that is probably Israel," the ambassador stated. The timing of his remarks, made weeks before the current escalation in the Middle East following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, adds another layer of complexity to an already delicate diplomatic situation.

Turner acknowledged the deep historical bonds and defense cooperation between Britain and America, noting that the two nations remain "intertwined" in security matters. However, he emphasized that the relationship must evolve. "The ties will continue to be 'special' if you like, but I think they will need to be different," he clarified, suggesting that Britain and Europe must work to "redefine" their relationship with Washington rather than rely on America's security umbrella.

Epstein Scandal and American 'Immunity'

In equally striking comments, Turner criticized what he described as American immunity from consequences in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The ambassador noted it was "extraordinary" that the affair had "brought down a senior member of the royal family", referring to Prince Andrew, along with a British ambassador and possibly even a prime minister, yet "here in the US, it has barely touched anyone."

Turner questioned why prominent Americans linked to the convicted sex offender, including business figures like Bill Gates, had not been called to testify before Congress despite documentary evidence of their connections to Epstein. Since Turner's remarks, Gates has agreed to provide testimony. The ambassador's comments come as King Charles faces pressure from activists and US Representative Ro Khanna to meet with Epstein victims during the royal visit, a request Buckingham Palace has declined.

Starmer's Political Future in Question

Perhaps most damaging for the current government, Turner offered a candid assessment of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's political vulnerability. The ambassador revealed that earlier in February, during the crisis surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment and subsequent removal as ambassador-designate, "at one point it was quite clear that Starmer was on the ropes, and his future looked uncertain."

Turner described the Mandelson affair as "a crisis that nearly brought down the government and ended the prime minister's tenure." While acknowledging that Labour Party rules set a high bar for removing a sitting prime minister, requiring 80 MPs to publicly sign a letter, which he compared to "signing a death warrant", the ambassador suggested the upcoming May local elections could prove decisive.

"If Labour performs very poorly, I estimate the party could reach that threshold and remove him, that seems to be the conventional thinking," Turner stated, adding that Starmer is "a stubborn man who is not expected to resign" voluntarily.

Diplomatic Damage Control

The leaked remarks have placed the British government in an awkward position during what was intended to be a charm offensive. The royal visit, which includes a tour of the White House beehive and an address by King Charles to Congress, was designed to ease tensions following President Trump's repeated attacks on Starmer and British reluctance to provide broader support for the US-led pressure campaign against Iran.

A Foreign Office spokesperson attempted to minimize the damage, stating that Turner's comments were "private and informal remarks made to a group of British high school students visiting the US in early February. They certainly do not reflect the position of His Majesty's Government."

Sir Peter Westmacott, a former British ambassador to Washington, defended his successor, telling the Financial Times: "It can be embarrassing when things said to a private audience are published, but I see no reason why what he said to a group of students a few months ago should affect his ability to continue his excellent start in Washington."

Nevertheless, the incident underscores the fragility of UK-US relations at a time when Britain finds itself increasingly isolated on key foreign policy issues, particularly regarding the Middle East conflict and European security arrangements. As King Charles prepares to address Congress, the question remains whether the "special relationship", however defined, can weather yet another diplomatic storm.