Christian Turner is a mandarin’s mandarin. His appointment to essentially the most glamorous posting within the UK diplomatic service is a victory for the Sir Humphreys over the politicians.
After the catastrophe and humiliation of Peter Mandelson‘s demise over his hyperlinks to Jeffrey Epstein, it all the time made sense to nominate a scandal-free profession diplomat as his successor.
Father-of-two Dr Turner is 53 however seems half his age. However his youthful look hides an extended expertise as a diplomat and civil servant serving prime ministers relationship again to Tony Blair.
Christian Turner throughout a G7 international ministers’ assembly in Italy in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The Overseas Workplace announcement of his appointment describes him as “one of many UK’s most skilled diplomats”. And the highest mandarins on the FCDO shall be delighted they have their man.
When Lord Mandelson was appointed final yr, the senior cupboard minister Peter Kyle informed Sky Information the federal government had decided that he was “worth the risk”.
And what a threat it turned out to be. Will they by no means study? “Mandy” – as he is all the time been identified in Westminster – had beforehand been pressured to resign from the cupboard not as soon as, however twice.
Lord Peter Mandelson and Sir Keir Starmer. File pic: PA
He declared in an indignant and defiant victory speech when he held his Commons seat in Hartlepool: “I am a fighter, not a quitter.” However not lengthy after that, he stop to grow to be a Brussels commissioner.
Dr Turner, alternatively, has loved a stellar and unblemished profession as a diplomat. His most high-profile worldwide put up to this point was excessive commissioner to Pakistan, the place he was mentioned to be immensely common.
One in every of his earlier diplomatic posts was excessive commissioner in Kenya, when he needed to lead the UK’s response to the Westgate Mall terrorist attack, by which 71 folks had been killed.
UK excessive commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner, proper, and US ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec, centre, in 2012. File pic: AP
So he is seen as a secure pair of palms and is unlikely to draw scandal and controversy in the way in which that his predecessor did, together with his relationships with vibrant tycoons and oligarchs in addition to love of the excessive life.
However, the Washington posting comes with among the greatest perks within the diplomatic world, notably the luxurious Lutyens mansion that serves because the ambassador’s residence on Massachusetts Avenue.
Dr Turner noticed off some distinguished rivals for the highest job within the diplomatic service, together with chief Varun Chandra, Sir Keir Starmer‘s enterprise adviser, who’s credited with being the architect of current commerce agreements with President Trump.
Varun Chandra. File pic: AP
Till this week, he was seen because the frontrunner for the job, and as a sop for not getting the Washington put up, he’ll now have an expanded position, together with taking a lead position in commerce talks with the US.
A late entry in what grew to become a three-horse race was Nigel Casey, Britain’s ambassador in Moscow.
However in the end, he was seen as indispensable in his present position, given the unstable relations with Vladimir Putin and the persevering with warfare in Ukraine.
British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey. File pic: Reuters
The PM interviewed all three candidates final week and his alternative of Dr Turner is seen as a victory for Sir Olly Robbins, the Overseas Workplace’s high diplomat, whose profession has prospered regardless of criticism of his position because the UK’s post-Brexit negotiator, over authorities ministers.
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Insiders declare there shall be champagne corks popping within the Overseas Workplace’s King Charles Avenue HQ as a result of Dr Turner is their man and can report again to the FCDO fairly than No 10.
If Lord Mandelson – the “prince of darkness” in his days as a Labour spin physician – was seen as Sir Keir’s “Trump whisperer”, Dr Turner would be the PM’s – and, extra importantly, the Overseas Workplace’s – eyes and ears.
