US EditionUK ambassador said America’s only ‘special relationship’ is with Israel: Report
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the remarks were private and not the UK government’s position as the leak fueled diplomatic embarrassment.
- On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, leaked audio revealed that Britain's Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner, privately questioned the status of the "special relationship" between London and Washington.
- During an informal February discussion with visiting students, Ambassador Turner expressed his dislike for the "nostalgic" and "backwards-looking" phrase "special relationship," suggesting that the United States currently only maintains such a unique bond with Israel.
- The Ambassador characterized the broader Anglo-American tie as "intertwined" and strong on defense but argued that European allies must redefine their connection to Washington rather than relying on a traditional security umbrella.
- Turner further criticized the American legal system for a lack of accountability regarding U.S. associates of Jeffrey Epstein, noting it was "extraordinary" that the scandal had brought down high-ranking British figures while leaving U.S. officials largely untouched.
- The British Foreign Office has distanced itself from the remarks, describing them as private opinions that do not reflect the official government position, particularly as they surfaced during King Charles III’s historic state visit intended to strengthen bilateral ties.
26 Articles
26 Articles
America’s only special relationship is ‘probably Israel,’ says British ambassador to US in leaked comments
By Christian Edwards, CNN (CNN) — Britain’s ambassador to Washington has said that the only country that has a “special relationship” with the United States is “probably Israel,” not Britain, in leaked comments which could overshadow King Charles III’s state visit underway in the US this week. Christian Turner, who took office in February to replace Peter Mandelson – who was sacked over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – made th…
U.K. ambassador, in leaked remarks, said the "one country" with a "special relationship" with the U.S. is "probably Israel"
Britain's ambassador, in February remarks reported by the Financial Times, also called the lack of fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in the U.S. "extraordinary."
US-UK relationship ‘become increasingly threadbare’ says Oxford historian
We spoke to the Canadian historian and Oxford emeritus professor Margaret MacMillan and began by asking for her reactions to comments from the current ambassador to the US which cast doubt on there even being a special relationship between the UK and the US.
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