UK Ambassador Says America’s ‘Special Relationship’ Is With Israel, Not Britain

Sir Christian Turner, Britain’s ambassador to Washington, dropped a diplomatic bombshell in a leaked discussion with UK students, casting doubt on the long-touted “special relationship” between the US and the UK. According to The Times, Turner described the phrase as “quite nostalgic” and “backwards-looking,” and said the only real special relationship the US maintains is with Israel.

Turner’s comments came just before King Charles III met with President Trump, underscoring the shifting dynamics of international alliances under the Trump administration. While he acknowledged a “deep history and affinity” between the US and UK, Turner emphasized that the traditional narrative around the special relationship is outdated, especially given Britain’s diminished global power post-Brexit and America’s political transformation under Trump.

The ambassador did not hold back on another sensitive topic: the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Turner called it “extraordinary” that the scandal has toppled senior figures in the UK but “hasn’t touched anybody” in the US, despite evidence linking Epstein to “very, very senior” American politicians and business leaders, including Bill Gates. He questioned why no American lawmakers have been called to testify before Congress, highlighting a glaring lack of accountability in the US political system.

Turner also speculated on the political fate of UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, predicting that poor results in upcoming local elections could trigger a leadership challenge. He contrasted this with the Epstein scandal’s lack of impact on US leaders, underscoring differences in political accountability between the two countries.

These frank remarks, leaked despite being made in a private setting, reveal the growing frustrations within British diplomatic circles about America’s changing priorities and political culture. The Foreign Office quickly distanced itself from Turner’s comments, calling them informal and not reflective of official policy.

But the bluntness of Turner’s observations echoes a broader reality: the US under Trump has reshaped its global alliances and domestic politics in ways that challenge traditional partnerships and norms. Meanwhile, the Epstein scandal continues to expose deep systemic failures to hold the powerful accountable on both sides of the Atlantic.

For all the nostalgia around the “special relationship,” Turner’s words serve as a stark reminder that power, influence, and accountability are shifting—and not always in Britain’s favor.