Ambassador blasted ‘chaotic’ White House... 25 years ago!

CALLING the Trump regime ‘inept’ cost our man in Washington his job – but such blunt assessments are nothing new.

Newly- released documents include a description of Bill Clinton’s ‘chaotic’ administration from 1994, written by Kim Darroch’s predecessor Robin Renwick.

Sir Robin’s telegram describes ‘Clinton’s roller-coaster ride’, and details the effects of numerous scandals which dogged the thenpresident’s administration.

The memo noted sexual harassment claims by Paula Jones, a former civil servant, who said Mr Clinton exposed himself to her in a hotel room when he was the governor of Arkansas.

Writing ahead of a 1994 visit to the UK by Mr Clinton and wife Hillary, Sir Robin wrote: ‘The personal stories may have taken their toll on Clinton’s popularity. No one believes the full Paula Jones story but the thought that the president may have to testify in court against her gives the White House fits.’

The file, dated May 1994 and sent to the Foreign Office, added: ‘White House organisation remains chaotic. Clinton continues to have difficulty winning the approval of more than 50 per cent of the American people and that could be constant throughout his presidency.’ He noted Mr Clinton was ‘concerned’ about his treatment by the British media, adding his White House had an ‘excessive preoccupation’ with the Press.

In another echo of the recent Trump storm, John Major was dragged into a major row when another senior diplomat criticised his host country’s regime.

David Gladstone, high commissioner to Sri Lanka, became ‘persona non grata’ and had to end his service after officials complained of his conduct at a local elections count in May 1991. Sir John gave him his full backing.