There’s been plenty of reporting and noise around the selection by the British government of Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador in Washington.
Mr Trump’s campaign director called Lord Mandelson a “moron” – and beyond that, there’s been plenty to suggest his arrival here might not be plain sailing.
So here’s what I know for clarity.
The formal process to install an ambassador begins with the United States issuing “agrément” – the method of approval by a state to receive a diplomatic representative from another country.
In the case of Lord Mandelson, I can confirm that this happened within the last two weeks, just before the inauguration.
The next step is for the Labour peer to come to the US with “letters of credence” from the King. This is due to happen imminently.
Lord Mandelson will then formally present these royal credentials on arrival. He’ll do it first to the State Department, and then to President Trump.
Theoretically, the president could refuse to accept the credentials.
Critics have raised concerns over Lord Mandelson’s relationship with China, and also his historic friendship with Jeffrey Epstein (with whom President Trump also spent time years ago).
Some reports have suggested that a dossier on Lord Mandelson detailing his business ties to China has been compiled by some senators and handed to the FBI. MEZIESBLOG cannot confirm this.
Sources have told me it’s extremely unlikely that Mr Trump would block the appointment of Lord Mandelson at this stage.
But, with Donald Trump, nothing is out of the question.
Leave a Reply