British ambassador to Washington quits after spat over leaked memos

[July 10, 2019]  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's ambassador to Washington resigned on Wednesday after Donald Trump labeled him "stupid" and "wacky" following the release of confidential memos from the envoy in which he branded the U.S. president's administration inept.

Memos from Kim Darroch were leaked to a British Sunday newspaper, infuriating Trump who lunched a stinging Twitter attack on both the envoy and British Prime Minister Theresa May who had given him her full support.

"Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador," Darroch wrote in his resignation letter.

"I want to put an end to that speculation," he added. "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like."

May told parliament after the resignation was announced that she had spoken to Darroch, who was due to leave his post anyway at the end of the year.

Britain's ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch (R) arrives as then White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon greets guests prior to a joint news conference between U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

"I have told him it is a matter of great regret that he has felt it necessary to leave his position as ambassador to Washington," she said.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Stephen Addison)

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