U.K. ambassador who criticized Trump in leaked memos as 'inept' resigns

Kim Darroch, the British ambassador to the United States who criticized President Trump's administration in leaked diplomatic cables and who Trump in response pledged to "no longer deal with," has announced his resignation.

"The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like," Darroch said on Wednesday, The Washington Post reports. He went on to say that the "responsible course" is to step aside.

The U.K. ambassador faced heavy criticism from Trump after he described the president as "inept" and "insecure" in leaked memos. In response, Trump on Twitter pledged that "we will no longer deal with" Darroch, who he went after in subsequent tweets as "wacky," a "very stupid guy," and a "pompous fool."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Britain stood by Darroch in the wake of Trump's criticism, and on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May thanked Darroch for his "lifetime of service" and said that "good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice," The Guardian reports. She added, "I want all our public servants to have the confidence to be able to do that."