Boris Johnson, the favorite to be named as Theresa May’s successor on July 23, vowed to stand up for Britain’s diplomats around the world and take a robust approach towards U.S. President Donald Trump if he succeeds in becoming the next prime minister.
Opinion: What will happen after the British ambassador to the U.S. resigns?
Johnson has been criticized for failing to support Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, before he resigned this week.
Darroch resigned on Wednesday after days of criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump following reports containing details of Darroch's diplomatic telegrams assessing the U.S. government.
Boris Johnson, leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, in a hustings event in Maidstone, Britain, July 11, 2019. /Reuters Photo
Diplomatic memos from Darroch describing the Trump administration as inept were leaked to a British newspaper, infuriating the U.S. president, who launched a Twitter attack on both the envoy and outgoing prime minister Theresa May, who had given Darroch her full support.
Johnson pointedly refused to back Darroch during a televised debate, leading to accusations from fellow Conservative Party lawmakers that he had thrown the ambassador “under the bus” to bolster his ties with Trump.
“I will stand up for our fantastic diplomats across the world,” Johnson told a leadership campaign rally on Thursday.
Hunt urges diplomats to keep speaking 'without fear or favor'
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt also urged diplomats in his country to keep speaking "without fear or favor" following the resignation of the ambassador to the United States over leaked memos that criticized the Trump administration.
Jeremy Hunt, leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, speaks during a hustings event in Maidstone, Britain July 11, 2019. /Reuters Photo
The public spat has undermined the so-called special relationship between Britain and the United States at a time when the British government is looking to strengthen ties ahead of its departure from the European Union.
"Please keep speaking up without fear or favor, remembering that the UK government alone will determine appointments based on our national interest alone," Hunt said in a message to staff at the British foreign office.
An inquiry is underway into who leaked the memos, and why.
Hunt, who is the underdog candidate in a run-off to be the country's next prime minister, added: "I want you to know that you will always get all the support you need to carry out your vital work."
His rival leadership candidate, Boris Johnson, was criticized for refusing to back Darroch in a televised leadership debate on Tuesday night.
(Cover: People walk past security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament on August 15, 2018 in London, England. /VCG Photo)