Britain’s second most senior diplomat in Washington abruptly leaves post

James Roscoe had served as deputy ambassador to US since 2022 and stood in after Peter Mandelson’s departure Britain’s second most senior diplomat in Washington, who stood in as interim ambassador after the sacking of Peter Mandelson, has abruptly left his post. The UK government gave no reason for James Roscoe’s sudden departure, which comes amid an investigation into the leak of discussions at a meeting of the UK’s national security council. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “James Roscoe has left his post.” Roscoe had served as deputy head of mission at the British embassy since 2022 and was among those tipped for the ambassadorial job after the removal of Mandelson. The posting ultimately went to another career diplomat, Christian Turner. Senior officials at the embassy are said to have been among those questioned as part of an investigation after reports this year of cabinet splits at a national security council meeting over allowing the US to use British bases for strikes against Iran. Those discussions are protected by the Official Secrets Act and a leak from the national security council is considered a serious breach. In 2019, Theresa May sacked the then defe