Diplomat who abruptly left Washington embassy was honoured by the king

Charles conferred LVO after his US visit on James Roscoe, who had been standing in for Peter Mandelson A top diplomat who abruptly left his post at the British embassy in Washington this week after standing in as interim ambassador for Peter Mandelson had weeks earlier been honoured by King Charles. No reason has yet been given for James Roscoe’s departure. An investigation is now under way into the leak of discussions at a meeting of the UK’s national security council. Senior officials at the embassy are said to have been among those questioned as part of the 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. Roscoe, who has served as deputy head of the mission since 2022, was made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by the king on 30 April. The honour, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch, was connected to the recent state visit made by Charles and Camilla to the United States, to mark the 250th