Diplomatic row after our man in Washington is told to downsize
FOR nearly 90 years, the British residence in Washington DC has been at the heart of the Special Relationship, playing host to prime ministers, presidents, royalty and even the Beatles.
However, the luxurious residence, described as one of the most impressive in the world, will have to close for up to two years after Brexit for “essential” maintenance, including the removal of asbestos.
The refurbishment has prompted a diplomatic row after Sir Kim Darroch, the British ambassador to the US, asked the Government to hire an alternative residence to ensure Britain could continue to influence high-profile US politicians and diplomats.
His suggestion has been rejected by the Foreign Office amid concerns that renting an alternative residence will be too expensive. Sir Simon Mcdonald, the head of the diplomatic service, is said to have blocked the move.
Sir Kim will instead move to the Deputy Head of Mission’s residence, which is a far more modest property. The UK will have to hire hotels to host diplomatic parties, which Sir Kim argues will ultimately cost more than renting another residence.
Sir Kim is understood to have highlighted concerns that the residence is being closed as Britain leaves the European Union, a “critical” stage as the UK tries to strike a free trade deal with Donald Trump.
The current residence was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who was also responsible for the Cenotaph in London. It can host around 400 people for events inside and 5,000 for garden parties, and has been hailed for seamlessly blending the style of a grand English country home with American colonial architecture.
Sir Anthony Seldon, who has written a book about the embassy entitled The Architecture of Diplomacy, hails it as one of the greatest in the world.
He said: “For British diplomacy to work, you need the ‘wow’ factor, and the residence is far more elegant than Downing Street. I think that the money spent [on an alternative residence] will pay itself back 10 times over. The US ambassador needs to entertain, it’s soft power in action.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said the British Embassy would continue to operate while the work was carried out.
She said: “During the maintenance, steps have been taken to minimise disruptions to the operation of the British Embassy and there will be no change to the quality of the delivery of the Embassy’s vital work.”
The embassy will be closed shortly after the midterm elections in 2018, which will determine whether the Republicans retain control of the Senate and House of Representatives.