Our newest ambassador in the US,,
Discussion
NNH said:
Thanks for your comments, and to those others who've chimed in on this. It's true that my experience at the Foreign Office was over twenty years ago, but I've stayed in touch with people and I don't think procedures have changed very much. Back then, we got a lot of basic facts from our diplomats every day, covering all sorts of things from trade data to changes in government offices.
However, it was also customary for the ambassador to send a regular cable with his/her impressions. It could be on any number of topics, and it always reminded me of Alastair Cooke's Letter From America. I personally loved reading them, and many of my colleagues also found them to be a highlight of the week. They were opinion-based, sometimes controversial, frequently hilarious, and they were absolutely vital to helping us understand the thinking of our allies, enemies and trading partners.
I think that anybody who has been involved in this kind of diplomatic correspondence will be very disappointed with the security breach, as it's impossible to get candid input unless we can be sure it will remain confidential.
Sir Kim has done the right (and inevitable) thing as he could no longer work effectively in the USA. I imagine he will see out the remainder of the year at the FO - if we're very lucky as a nation, he will be involved in training some of the newest entrants to the Civil Service. The FO (and Jeremy Hunt) did the right thing in backing him, not least to make the point that diplomats have to be candid when they report to their capitals (imagine what most foreign ambassadors are saying about the UK right now!)
As for my point on Boris' crew being the leakers, that's pure conjecture. However, traditionally when a serious leak happens then we look for who benefits. I think that Boris has a similar viewpoint to Trump, that chaos makes him look better because it makes the conventional establishment look worse. I don't think there is any deeper cunning plan beyond that, because Boris has never had a guiding principle beyond his own short-term personal interests.
That's great insight, thanks.However, it was also customary for the ambassador to send a regular cable with his/her impressions. It could be on any number of topics, and it always reminded me of Alastair Cooke's Letter From America. I personally loved reading them, and many of my colleagues also found them to be a highlight of the week. They were opinion-based, sometimes controversial, frequently hilarious, and they were absolutely vital to helping us understand the thinking of our allies, enemies and trading partners.
I think that anybody who has been involved in this kind of diplomatic correspondence will be very disappointed with the security breach, as it's impossible to get candid input unless we can be sure it will remain confidential.
Sir Kim has done the right (and inevitable) thing as he could no longer work effectively in the USA. I imagine he will see out the remainder of the year at the FO - if we're very lucky as a nation, he will be involved in training some of the newest entrants to the Civil Service. The FO (and Jeremy Hunt) did the right thing in backing him, not least to make the point that diplomats have to be candid when they report to their capitals (imagine what most foreign ambassadors are saying about the UK right now!)
As for my point on Boris' crew being the leakers, that's pure conjecture. However, traditionally when a serious leak happens then we look for who benefits. I think that Boris has a similar viewpoint to Trump, that chaos makes him look better because it makes the conventional establishment look worse. I don't think there is any deeper cunning plan beyond that, because Boris has never had a guiding principle beyond his own short-term personal interests.
Tankrizzo said:
Lord Marylebone said:
Some absolute drivel being spouted in here as I expected.
Is it the ambassadors role to provide the UK government with an honest and accurate assessment of the US president?
Yes.
Did he do that?
Yes.
Who is to blame in all this?
The person who leaked the email.
Will this leak hamper the ability of the next ambassador to give honest assessments of the US president?
Yes.
That is the top and bottom of it.
Spot on.Is it the ambassadors role to provide the UK government with an honest and accurate assessment of the US president?
Yes.
Did he do that?
Yes.
Who is to blame in all this?
The person who leaked the email.
Will this leak hamper the ability of the next ambassador to give honest assessments of the US president?
Yes.
That is the top and bottom of it.
As someone who worked for many years in the public sector dealing with documents marked from confidential right up to the highest levels .. possibly not “top secret” but certainly very privileged info with serious security implications I’d be very suprised if the trail of all those that had “eyes on” and what they did with the document cannot be established very quickly
Where I worked .. every key stroke on IT was logged .. everything you looked at .. what you did with it .. nothing could be deleted. Your account could be remotely accessed and monitored in real time if necessary
Most sensitive stuff was sent to you BCC so
You couldn’t see who else got it
Often the document was unique to you as the recipient if very sensitive .. and could therefore be identified later
On a very tight mail group anyone who leaked an original document would be mad to print it or forward it to a personal email
minimoog said:
In case anyone was in any doubt as to how wide Brexiteers are prepared to spread their arse cheeks for Trump while trampling over British diplomatic norms.
Jesus, what an absolute stroker.
And I am not referring to Sir Kim Darroch,
Europa1 said:
fblm said:
Thank you. It's great when people with genuine experience chip in. My knowledge of the CS begins and ends with yes minister...
Another thank you here - very interesting insight into a world most us will never be privy to.Oooof
https://order-order.com/2019/07/10/isabel-oakeshot...
John Crace in the Guardian insinuated that Oakeshott obtained the info by sleeping with either Farage or Banks.
Unsurprisingly lawyers engaged and retraction and damages demanded.
https://order-order.com/2019/07/10/isabel-oakeshot...
John Crace in the Guardian insinuated that Oakeshott obtained the info by sleeping with either Farage or Banks.
Unsurprisingly lawyers engaged and retraction and damages demanded.
Ridgemont said:
Oooof
https://order-order.com/2019/07/10/isabel-oakeshot...
John Crace in the Guardian insinuated that Oakeshott obtained the info by sleeping with either Farage or Banks.
Unsurprisingly lawyers engaged and retraction and damages demanded.
And The Guardian is such a nice principled paper too https://order-order.com/2019/07/10/isabel-oakeshot...
John Crace in the Guardian insinuated that Oakeshott obtained the info by sleeping with either Farage or Banks.
Unsurprisingly lawyers engaged and retraction and damages demanded.
Europa1 said:
55palfers said:
Europa1 said:
Yep, at the risk of sounding like my parents, I hope Isabel Oakshott is happy with herself.
Just a FYI....her middle name is Euphemia. Golly.I recall a guy who was so prim and proper when I was an apprentice he would never swear. Ever. On the many occasions he wanted to swear his strict upbringing would never allow it, he couldn't say bugger or sod etc, so always, always, let out a loud 'Golly!'
He even did so the day he lost the top of a finger in a machine accident - well, more 'Golly! Golly! Golly! Golly!' on that occasion
. Anyway, back on topic.
Euphemia (Greek origin) was once quite a common (known) girl's name, but it was invariably, almost always, shortened to the nickname, Effie.
I had two aunts whose Christian name was Euphemia, they were 'always' referred to as Effie, never ever Euphemia.
Anyone who watched the Hunger Games - wasn't that long ago, what 6 yrs now? - should remember the name, one of the main characters was Effie Trinket (ie Euphemia Trinket) the one who worked as the escort for District 12.
How soon before someone interviewing Isabel says
'Hello Effie'.
Oh, and just to add, I hope 'Effie' takes John 'Crass' and the Grauniad rag to the cleaners!
minimoog said:
In case anyone was in any doubt as to how wide Brexiteers are prepared to spread their arse cheeks for Trump while trampling over British diplomatic norms.
Why do you assume all Leavers think the same as Richard Tice (whoever he is)?
Lazy stereotyping much?
FF
Fat Fairy said:
minimoog said:
In case anyone was in any doubt as to how wide Brexiteers are prepared to spread their arse cheeks for Trump while trampling over British diplomatic norms.
Why do you assume all Leavers think the same as Richard Tice (whoever he is)?
Lazy stereotyping much?
FF
Whether he's "important" is arguable but he has a reasonable voice whether Brexit Party voters realise it or not, that's the kind of thing they voted for when choosing to endorse his and Farage's party.
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff