Inept? Trump has restored American pride
Could anything more clearly demonstrate the gulf between the make-believe world of a career diplomat and the real world of an elected US President, than our Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch’s disgraceful denigration of Donald Trump?
Trump has fulfilled many of his election pledges. He has transformed the US economy, he has cut taxes and regulations, created millions of jobs, restored manufacturing, repatriated offshore billions, reduced illegal immigration, renegotiated one-sided international trade agreements, restored relations with North Korea and defeated Islamic State. What part of all that does Sir Kim think is ‘inept’? Roy Daniels, Luton
It struck me immediately that Sir Kim was doing his best to spoil any future Brexit deals with America. Whatever his thoughts are regarding President Trump, his first priority should have been Britain’s future. Steve Catterall, Blackburn
It is unbelievable that our diplomatic service, which is trained in diplomacy, should insult the President of the United States. We expect our diplomats to be above reproach and not go around insulting people. Josephine Juden, Bournemouth
Nothing good for the UK can come from this leaking of the ambassador’s comments – in fact it can cause us only damage and considerable difficulties. Stanley Knill, London
Why did you have to publish the ambassador’s cables? By doing so, you’ve not done the reputation of the Press any favours, and could have done serious damage to transatlantic relations. Name and address supplied
Am I alone in being bemused at those defending Sir Kim Darroch? One of the first things many of us learn is ‘never assume’ – in this case never assume things won’t get leaked.
His language was crude at best. As a diplomat, does he not possess enough vocabulary and use of nuance to express a message that is both instructive and open to interpretation? He was obviously in the wrong job. Gerry Doyle, Liverpool
Sir Kim’s return before the end of his term should not be seen as dancing to Donald Trump’s tune but a convenient way of defusing a tricky situation which threatens to sour one of the most important relationships on the planet. Sometimes expediency means that individuals are sacrificed. Bob MacDougall, Stirlingshire
Boris Johnson signalled his intention to remove the
ambassador because the diplomat is not politically on-message. The notion that Boris should publicly support a man before dispensing with his services is ridiculous. John Collins, Chelmsford
Mr Trump’s reaction was rather concerning. He appeared willing to punish the UK and insulted the Prime Minister. It gives the impression that the ‘special relationship’ is always at the President’s whim. Diana Silva, Bournemouth It was a great credit to Sir Kim Darroch that he chose to resign honourably from his post with decency, decorum and dignity in the face of the unseemly and undiplomatic furore unleashed by the deliberate leaking of his confidential, honest and scathing appraisals of the Trump administration.
His resignation allows the decks to be cleared.
Whoever was responsible for releasing this compilation of composite comments, plucked from the confidential appraisals, did so with malicious intent.
Without the security which should accompany such appraisals, it would not be possible for ambassadors to carry out their duties with any confidence.
It is unacceptable that Civil Service impartiality should have been compromised in this way. Denis Bruce, Glasgow