Liam Fox to apologise to Ivanka Trump for ambassador's leaked memos

[snoop1130]

Liam Fox to apologise to Ivanka Trump for ambassador's leaked memos

by Michael Holden

 

FILE PHOTO: Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox arrive through the East Gallery during the State Banquet, on day one of the U.S. President's Donald Trump state visit, at Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, June 3, 2019. Victoria Jones/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s trade minister said on Monday he would apologise to U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka for a leak of confidential memos in which the UK ambassador describes the U.S. administration as “dysfunctional” and “inept”.

 

The memos from Kim Darroch, the ambassador to Washington, were leaked to a Sunday newspaper, annoying Trump and triggering demands on the British side to find out who had disclosed them.

 

Trade Minister Liam Fox, who is on a visit to Washington, told BBC radio he would apologise to the president’s daughter Ivanka, whom he is due to meet during his trip.

 

“I will be apologising for the fact that either our civil service or elements of our political class have not lived up to the expectations that either we have or the United States has about their behaviour, which in this particular case has lapsed in a most extraordinary and unacceptable way,” he said.

 

“Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest.”

 

The revelations come at a time when Britain is hoping to strike a major trade deal with its closest ally after it leaves the European Union, an exit currently scheduled for Oct. 31.

 

Trump told reporters, of Darroch: “We are not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well, so I can understand and I can say things about him but I won’t bother.”

 

“I DON’T SHARE ASSESSMENT”

 

In memos to his government dating from 2017 to the present, Darroch said reports of in-fighting in the White House were “mostly true” and last month described confusion within the administration over Trump’s decision to call off a military strike on Iran.

 

“We don’t really believe this Administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsy and inept,” Darroch wrote in one memo.

 

Ministers said Britain did Britain view the Trump administration as effective.

 

“I have made it clear that I don’t share the ambassador’s assessment of either the U.S. administration or relations with the U.S. administration, but I do defend his right to make that frank assessment,” foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told reporters.

 

“What we will not allow to happen is any interruption in the superb relationship that we have the United States, which is our closest ally around the world,” he added, promising “serious consequences” for whoever who had leaked the memos.

 

Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party and long a thorn in the side of British governments, said figures such as Darroch would be “not be around” if ex-foreign minister Boris Johnson, one of two candidates seeking to replace Theresa May as prime minister, was chosen by Conservative Party members.

 

Despite being close to Trump, Farage ruled himself out of becoming Britain’s next ambassador in Washington.

 

“I don’t think I’m the right man for that job,” he told BBC radio.

 

An inquiry is now being held to determine who was behind the second serious disclosure of confidential material this year.

 

Two months ago, May fired defence minister Gavin Williamson after secret discussions in the National Security Council about Chinese telecoms firm Huawei were leaked to the media, and an inquiry concluded that he was responsible.

 

Williamson denied any involvement and police said there was no reason for a criminal investigation.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-07-08

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[nauseus]

Damn technology! Should have used Rocky, the trusty transatlantic carrier pigeon. 

[evadgib]

Before this gets farcical the Brits should tactfully remind the Whitehouse where all the security leaks came from re Terror suspects in London during the last couple of attacks.

[marcusarelus]

4 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Before this gets farcical the Brits should tactfully remind the Whitehouse where all the security leaks came from re Terror suspects in London during the last couple of attacks.

Don't forget that British report about Trump and the girls and pee pee.  He may have forgotten that one as I don't think he has too long a memory.  

[expatfromwyoming]

So in Trumpworld you have to apologise for truthful utterances- if HE thinks they are denigrating to the mighty. More fool Fox for stooping that low.

[geoffbezoz]

1 minute ago, expatfromwyoming said:

So in Trumpworld you have to apologise for truthful utterances- if HE thinks they are denigrating to the mighty. More fool Fox for stooping that low.

Agreed and it typifies the level to which the Tories have sunk. Surprised Boris didn't apologies personally via the Sunday Telegraph and offer to go and lick his backside should he be elected British PM.

[Tug]

What a farce our Donald is I’ll bet mr Fox will feel kinda slimed after his little boot licking assignment the ambassador spoke truth to power it’s his job the problem is it leaked the funney part is we all know it allready lol even the ones in denial know it lol

[Chomper Higgot]

It looks like someone has their eye on the post of UK Ambassador to the US. 

[legend49]

Why does he have to apologize to Ivanka????

[jesimps]

Quote “Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest.” Unquote

 

It isn't the leak that's the problem, it's the fact that our ambassador actually said it. If true, then fire Darroch (who's position is now untenable), then find out who leaked it, in that order. The leaker must've had clearance up to at least "Secret" to have had access to that report.

[Salerno]

17 minutes ago, jesimps said:

It isn't the leak that's the problem, it's the fact that our ambassador actually said it.

555 oh wait ... you're being serious! 55555555555555

 

 

[dick dasterdly]

11 minutes ago, jesimps said:

Quote “Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest.” Unquote

 

It isn't the leak that's the problem, it's the fact that our ambassador actually said it. If true, then fire Darroch (who's position is now untenable), then find out who leaked it, in that order. The leaker must've had clearance up to at least "Secret" to have had access to that report.

Presumably darroch didn't have the sense to 'say it', in private, to those to whom he was reporting - he put it in writing.

 

An extremely bad idea I would have thought, as emails/letters/memos are leaked so frequently.

 

But I agree with the gist of your post.

[Paul Henry]

Typical double standards by POTUS and his hirelings. its OK for Donald to show no respect to the Queen by his previous behavior when he has visited the UK, or his insults to the Lord Mayor of London or his lack of respect for National Days of Rememberance for war dead. We all know its only the truth that hurts.

[Salerno]

4 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

Presumably darroch didn't have the sense to 'say it', in private, to those to whom he was reporting - he put it in writing.

Which is part of his job - to give accurate assessment of the players involved in his area of responsibility. You can't seriously believe such briefings should be verbal.

[jayboy]

28 minutes ago, jesimps said:

Quote “Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest.” Unquote

 

It isn't the leak that's the problem, it's the fact that our ambassador actually said it. If true, then fire Darroch (who's position is now untenable), then find out who leaked it, in that order. The leaker must've had clearance up to at least "Secret" to have had access to that report.

You are talking rubbish.There is no blame to be attached to the Ambassador whatsoever - he was simply doing his job.The serious offense is the leak of secret information and this needs to be ruthlessly investigated with severe consequences for the culprits.

 

I see that you and other geniuses on this thread have not bothered to read Liam Fox's comments with care.He was not apologizing for the Ambassador's comments but rather for the malicious leaking.

[Berkshire]

12 hours ago, expatfromwyoming said:

So in Trumpworld you have to apologise for truthful utterances- if HE thinks they are denigrating to the mighty. More fool Fox for stooping that low.

If there were more leaks from other nations' Ambassadors, I'm certain that their opinions of Trump would be largely the same.  It's just unfortunate for Darroch that his was the first to become public.  Let's face it, our President is a moron.  Everybody knows this but can't say publicly.  I'll bet even in Israel and Russia, Netanyahu and Putin are laughing behind Trump's back.  But since the US is doing their bidding, no point saying so.  Countries like S. Korea and Japan pretty much have to kiss Trump's ass, but behind his back....Lordy.   

[Benmart]

12 hours ago, Tug said:

What a farce our Donald is I’ll bet mr Fox will feel kinda slimed after his little boot licking assignment the ambassador spoke truth to power it’s his job the problem is it leaked the funney part is we all know it allready lol even the ones in denial know it lol

Your post is a disaster and would make more sense with a few periods and spelling checks. Kinda? 

[kamahele]

Why is he apologizing? He was doing his job and there was a security breach that was out of his hands. The US had a similar but much larger situation thanks to Wikileaks. The secret diplomatic messages from ambassadors around the world were leaked.

[blazes]

1 hour ago, Benmart said:

Your post is a disaster and would make more sense with a few periods and spelling checks. Kinda? 

 

No no, he's quoting from Finnegans Wake....

[spidermike007]

Just another case of the truth being revealed. With this administration truth must be avoided at all costs, as it is usually very ugly! 

 

He he simply stated the obvious. And Trump cannot handle criticism, nor truth. He is a big baby. A 13 year old in a big body, and paper thin skin. Why?

Low self esteem, masked by grandiosity and a need to always exaggerate and fabricate.  

[johnnybangkok]

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

Quote “Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to a damage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest.” Unquote

 

It isn't the leak that's the problem, it's the fact that our ambassador actually said it. If true, then fire Darroch (who's position is now untenable), then find out who leaked it, in that order. The leaker must've had clearance up to at least "Secret" to have had access to that report.

Literally the complete opposite.

The British ambassador (working for the Brits remember) tells his government the truth that everyone else knows, which is the white house is a complete and utter farce. This is absolutely the right thing to do. Why would he not do his job and report an accurate version of what is going on in the White House to the British government (his boss)?

The leaking is the problem but I suspect there are leaks and there are ''leaks' and since he is an outgoing ambassador, perhaps this 'leak' is a bit more orchestrated than everyone is letting on.  

[Sakeopete]

After being forced to view the BREXIT saga daily on BBC the last few months I am surprised the leaked memo was referring to the White House instead of the #10 Downing Street.

[Tug]

I still don’t understand why mr Fox has to grovel before Ivanka.hey grammar police I added a period lol 

[neeray]

14 hours ago, Tug said:

What a farce our Donald is I’ll bet mr Fox will feel kinda slimed after his little boot licking assignment the ambassador spoke truth to power it’s his job the problem is it leaked the funney part is we all know it allready lol even the ones in denial know it lol

Of course you notice that the "one's in denial" have been quite silent of late.

[Ozman52]

Perhaps it should go like this "Dear Ivanka, I am really terribly sorry that your father is a vacillating, inept and dysfunctional egomaniac. I wouldn't wish a father like that on my worst enemy. The pity is that he will still be an embarrassment for you even after he is thrown out of office and into jail."

[Bundooman]

5 hours ago, legend49 said:

Why does he have to apologize to Ivanka????

Exactly! Who the hell is this jumped up, unqualified nothing who is only there just because her father wants to Gafurgle her! My government should just ignore her as they all did at the G20 Conference. 

 

And apart from anything else - the UK Ambassador just spoke the truth! Everything he said was correct. 

[nauseus]

1 minute ago, Bundooman said:

Exactly! Who the hell is this jumped up, unqualified nothing who is only there just because her father wants to Gafurgle her! My government should just ignore her as they all did at the G20 Conference. 

 

And apart from anything else - the UK Ambassador just spoke the truth! Everything he said was correct. 

The ambassador didn't even know what he said was correct. 

[thaiguzzi]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Britain’s trade minister said on Monday he would apologise to U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka

This once proud nation has absolutely no backbone whatsoever anymore.

The spine of an amoeba.

[TGIR]

Per usual, not a dissenting voice in the crowd, except maybe mine.  Maybe all you poor souls on this forum who have nothing better to do than smash Trump daily could entertain us with some stories of your exploits and successes in life.   Surely they would make Trump pale by comparison.   I know I would be thrilled to know more about you all.

[Sujo]

14 minutes ago, TGIR said:

Per usual, not a dissenting voice in the crowd, except maybe mine.  Maybe all you poor souls on this forum who have nothing better to do than smash Trump daily could entertain us with some stories of your exploits and successes in life.   Surely they would make Trump pale by comparison.   I know I would be thrilled to know more about you all.

He is president. Public office. Its open season.