Ex-US ambassador ‘does not regret’ Trump criticism - BBC Newsnight

In an exclusive interview the UK’s former Ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, tells Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis he does not regret criticising Donald Trump in briefings later leaked to the media, in which he described the president’s government as "dysfunctional" and ”inept" in private letters. Subscribe to our channel here

The UK's former ambassador to the US has told BBC Newsnight he does not regret criticising Donald Trump in briefings later leaked to the media.

Kim Darroch quit last year after it emerged he described the US President's government as "dysfunctional", "inept" and "divided" in private letters.

But its disclosure to the media was a "vindictive" breach of trust, he said.

Lord Darroch left his post in July 2019 amid a huge diplomatic row over the leaking of a series of private cables, in which he had questioned the competence of the Trump administration and its handling of major foreign policy issues, such as relations with Iran.

In response to suggestions the prime minister could modify the Brexit withdrawal agreement, Lord Darroch told Newsnight “the idea that you could re-write your part of the agreement is just unacceptable” and “it’s a breach of international law."

Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.