The United States’ “special relationship” is now more closely aligned with Israel than the UK, Britain’s ambassador to Washington has said, in remarks that come at a sensitive moment for transatlantic ties.
Christian Turner made the comments during a question-and-answer session with UK students visiting Washington shortly after taking up his post in February. Recordings of the exchange were later shared with the Financial Times.
“I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States, and that is probably Israel,” Turner said.
He added that while UK ties with Washington remain strong, the relationship may need to evolve. “The relationship will carry on, if you want, being ‘special’, but I think it’s going to have to be different,” he said.
Turner also suggested that Britain and Europe should work to redefine the relationship, particularly on defence, rather than relying on a US security umbrella.
In a statement to the Financial Times, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the remarks were made in a “private, informal” setting and “are certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position”.
Turner was appointed in December 2025, replacing Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed after controversy surrounding his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The comments emerged during a week marked by high-level diplomacy, including King Charles’s visit to the United States, aimed at reinforcing cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
During a White House state dinner, US President Donald Trump praised the longstanding relationship between the UK and the US, while also claiming the British monarch shared his stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Tehran denies pursuing.
Speaking at the dinner, Trump said: “Charles agrees with me even more than I do, we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon”.
In a separate address to Congress, King Charles did not directly mention the conflict in Iran, but emphasised the importance of NATO, continued US support for Ukraine, and the risks of growing isolationism.
Turner’s remarks are likely to draw attention in London, where officials have sought to maintain the narrative of a close and enduring UK-US partnership, even as geopolitical tensions test the relationship.
