Britain’s ambassador to Washington has said the US’ only “special relationship” is “probably Israel,” and has criticised the phrase as “nostalgic” and “backwards looking,” according to remarks in a recording reported by the Financial Times.
The comments have been revealed amid a four-day state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Washington.
Christian Turner, who started his post in February, made the comments at an event with British students in mid-February.
Speaking to the students, Turner said he disliked the phrase “special relationship” to describe UK-US ties, calling it “backwards-looking,” though he maintained that relations remained “strong.”
Comments on politics
Turner also commented on UK politics and the position of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying “at one stage he (Starmer) was pretty clearly on the ropes” and that his future looked “quite touch and go.”