’White nationalist,’ ‘racist’ and ’dangerous"’: Comments on Trump from UK's next ambassador

Peter Mandelson, a veteran in the Labour ranks, was appointed by Keir Starmer to lead the UK's diplomatic mission to the United States.

Published by

Juan Peña

December 20, 2024

2 minutes read

The UK's next ambassador to the United States doesn't have the best opinion of Donald Trump. A Labour appointee, Lord Peter Mandelson has previously described the president-elect as a "danger to the world" and "little short of white nationalist and racist."

Despite this, the Briton, who held key positions in Tony Blair’s Labour administration, will lead the British diplomatic delegation in Washington D.C. when Donald Trump takes office next year. Mandelson will replace Karen Pierce. Keir Starmer thanked him for his work after announcing the appointment of his successor at the Embassy.

British news reported that a month before Trump's presidential inauguration, the comments, made in an interview with an Italian journalist in 2019, threaten to undermine Keir Starmer's campaign to boost relations with Trump as he returns to the White House next month.

According to The Telegraph, the decision to appoint someone like Mandelson was intended to send a message of seriousness and relevance, rather than confrontation, in approaching relations with the next occupant of the White House.

However, Mandelson's remarks have already made their way to the United States and to the president-elect's team. Chris LaCivita, a spokesman for Trump's 2024 campaign, commented on Friday, stating, “This UK government is special for replacing a universally respected ambassador with an absolute moron—he should stay home! SAD!”

Veteran in Labour ranks

Mandelson, 71, is a veteran in Labour's ranks, as well as one of the founders of the party's current mainstream alongside Tony Blair.

Since Tony Blair's victory in the 1997 election, he has held senior positions in the United Kingdom until 2010, when he was Britain's first secretary of state. He was also business secretary under Brown from 2008 to 2010, and European trade commissioner.

"In Britain we face challenges, but also great opportunities, and it will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities, both for our economy and for our nation's security, and to boost our historic alliance with the United States," Mandelson said after Starmer announced his nomination to the position.

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