"Mark Sedwill's prospects of becoming the UK's ambassador in Washington have taken a blow after officials raised concerns about an article he wrote in 2021 praising Joe Biden and criticising Donald Trump. The former cabinet secretary and national security adviser has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to succeed Peter Mandelson in Washington. But some in government are worried about an article he wrote four years ago in which he made several criticisms of Trump after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden."
"It was the morning after a sumptuous dinner at Blenheim Palace, an evening designed to be on a grand scale to impress a visiting American president. But instead of smiles, there were horrified expressions on the face of Downing Street colleagues as we read an interview in which Mr Trump rubbished Mrs May's tactics in her Brexit negotiations with the European Union, blundering unapologetically into the most sensitive issue in British politics."
"The concerns reflect divides in Whitehall over how to manage the relationship with a volatile White House after the brief but eventful tenure of Lord Mandelson, who was one of the few overtly political holders of the role. In the article Lord Sedwill wrote for the Daily Mail in 2021, he described being involved in Trump's first official visit to the UK while working in Downing Street under Theresa May."
Officials have raised concerns about Mark Sedwill's 2021 praise of Joe Biden and criticism of Donald Trump, damaging his prospects for the Washington ambassadorship. Sedwill emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Peter Mandelson, but divisions in Whitehall have surfaced over handling relations with a volatile White House. Sedwill recalled involvement in Trump's first official UK visit during Theresa May's premiership and described horrified Downing Street reactions after a Trump interview that criticised May's Brexit tactics. He also referenced Trump's broader capriciousness toward allies and sensitive issues such as the 6 January US Capitol attack.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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