New Zealand Envoy to UK Fired Over Trump History Comments

Phil Goff's remarks at a London think tank event were deemed inconsistent with New Zealand's diplomatic expectations.

Phil Goff, New Zealand's High Commissioner to the UK, was dismissed after questioning President Trump's understanding of history during a public event at Chatham House in London.
Goff compared Trump's efforts in Ukraine to the 1938 Munich Agreement, quoting Winston Churchill's criticism of appeasement policies toward Nazi Germany.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that Goff's comments made his position as a representative of the government 'untenable' and not reflective of official views.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized the decision, calling it an overreaction and defending Goff's reputation as a respected diplomat.
The dismissal underscores the strict expectations for diplomatic neutrality and the challenges of balancing free speech with official representation in international roles.