Relations later frayed under Boris Johnson, however, as Trump pressured Britain to purge Chinese firm Huawei from Britain’s 5G network. Given that the matter was one of national security, the U.K. sided with America, but the move clearly soured relations with China. Trump may well want to make that relationship more awkward again. Elsewhere on … Read more
WASHINGTON — The hot tip to become the next U.K. ambassador to Washington is anti-Brexit and supports more cooperation with China. Best of luck with the MAGA crowd, Peter Mandelson. A veteran political operator who helped transform Britain’s center-left Labour movement in the 1990s and return it to power after almost two decades, Mandelson now … Read more
“Diego Garcia was described to me by a senior Trump advisor as the most important island on the planet as far as America was concerned,” he said. The Independent reported Wednesday that Trump’s transition team “has requested legal advice from the Pentagon over the agreement” and could seek to kill the deal amid national security … Read more
Badenoch has served in a host of Cabinet roles under previous Tory leaders, and argued during the campaign that the Conservatives needed to rebuild, understand their purpose as a party and rid themselves of incoherency. Politically, Badenoch is on the right and advocates free markets and free speech. She has been unafraid to court controversy … Read more
Finally, following years of negotiations, the Labour administration announced on Oct. 3 that — after more than half a century — it would give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, albeit with carve-outs to protect the U.K./U.S. airbase on Diego Garcia. Looking back, Sands sees Britain’s EU departure as a major contributor. “Brexit … Read more
Charles, too, has mellowed his well-known views on issues such as climate change and housing, at least in public, as part of the strict convention of neutrality that comes with being king. His style in the past was far from laid back. One former minister recalled Charles, as prince of Wales, inviting them for tea … Read more
The Partygate affair, as it became known, dealt a major blow to Johnson’s administration, and he resigned as prime minister in 2022 following an exodus of top ministers. Johnson was fined by police over his attendance at one gathering and was later found to have knowingly misled parliament about his knowledge of the gatherings. He … Read more
“Ahead of the International Investment Summit on 14 October, this meeting will provide an opportunity for you, alongside other U.K. business leaders, to hear from Ian about the government’s investment priorities, and for you to share your thoughts and ideas,” the invite read. Murphy and his lobbying firm Arden Strategies are seen as leading power … Read more
“Thither Bibi repaired for a while, and it may or may not be a coincidence but I am told that later, when they were doing a regular sweep for bugs, they found a listening device in the thunderbox,” Johnson writes as he recalls a meeting. The Telegraph pressed the ex-PM on whether he could disclose … Read more
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson considered sending troops to the Netherlands to seize a supply of five million doses of Covid vaccines held in Leiden, according to an excerpt of his forthcoming memoirs published in the Daily Mail. In the spring of 2021, the EU and U.K. were wrestling over the production of Covid-19 … Read more
