Sir Keir Starmer has chosen Lord Peter Mandelson as the new UK ambassador to Donald Trump’s US.
The news comes as the prime minister suggested he believes the Labour politican has the necessary trade expertise and networking abilities to bolster the UK’s interests during this delicate period of time.
It is a period of time that has seen frosty relations, with Mr Trump even saying he would implement tariffs on goods coming in from the UK.
Mandelson previously served as First Secretary of State under Gordon Brown as well as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
He has held several other positions such as European Commissioner for Trade and has more recently been described as a “significant influence” on the office of Starmer and as a “core part” of his network.
It was previously speculated by senior Labour insiders in November that if Kamala Harris were triumphant, Labour peer Valerie Amos would stand the best chance of being put in the position.
Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time ‘nobody has spoken to me about it’, the sources had said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump – and the experience to handle the critical trade negotiations.
Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time ‘nobody has spoken to me about it’, the sources had said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump
More to follow on this breaking news story.
