Overview
- Turner, previously slated to become the UK’s representative to the United Nations, was reassigned to Washington after the government finalized its decision on Thursday.
- Keir Starmer selected Turner after a push inside Whitehall and the FCDO for a seasoned negotiator, with Nigel Casey considered but ultimately passed over.
- The Washington post had been vacant since September when Peter Mandelson was removed over emails revealing his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Varun Chandra, once the frontrunner, will stay in Downing Street with an expanded brief as chief business, investment and trade adviser and will serve as an envoy on US trade.
- Turner’s brief includes navigating tense issues with President Trump’s administration, including disputes over a flagship tech pact and wider trade negotiations.