Kim Darroch quits as UK ambassador to US 'after Johnson remarks'

Sir Kim Darroch, the UK ambassador to Washington who has been at the centre of a diplomatic row over leaked cables criticising Donald Trump, has resigned.

The Guardian understands he concluded his position was untenable after watching the Conservative leadership debate on Tuesday, in which the frontrunner, Boris Johnson, stopped short of backing him.

In a letter to Simon McDonald, the most senior official at the Foreign Office, Darroch said the row, in which Trump called the ambassador “a pompous fool” and “very stupid”, meant he could not continue.

Kim Darroch: effectively sacked by Johnson on the orders of Trump
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“Since the leak of official documents from this embassy, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador,” he wrote. “I want to put an end to that speculation. The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.”

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Replying to the letter, McDonald said Darroch had been the target of “a malicious leak” and expressed gratitude for his work. “You are the best of us,” McDonald said.

The announcement came immediately before prime minister’s questions. No 10 said Theresa May had spoken to Darroch directly for about five minutes at about 11.30am. By this time, he had already spoken to McDonald.