Brexit uncertainty makes fearless advice paramount

If Britain is to leave the European Union later this year, it will look to its finest and most experienced professional diplomats to smooth its path as it goes it alone – even more so if, as expected, the gaffe-prone Boris Johnson becomes prime minister later this month. Ironically, it is at least partly thanks to Johnson that Britain will be without the services in a key post of its ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch, after a furore over the leaking of secret diplomatic cables in which Darroch called the Trump administration dysfunctional and inept.

Following a Twitter storm in which Donald Trump cast doubt on future dealings with Darroch, Johnson threw the ambassador under the proverbial bus during a Conservative Party leadership debate, when he avoided the question whether he would keep him on if he became leader and prime minister. As a former foreign minister with designs on the top job, it is inconceivable that Johnson did not know what he was doing. As a result, Darroch has resigned. Johnson, who looked to some as if he were doing Trump’s bidding has, understandably, been roundly condemned.

The issue goes beyond politics or the divisive passions aroused by Brexit. Darroch was simply doing his job. Diplomats are paid to give their governments frank, fearless analyses of the countries to which they are posted. Because it might cause offence such advice is kept secret. Leaks can be damaging to relations. Worse, the damage can extend to diplomats’ willingness to do their job as they are trained to do, giving advice without fear or favour.

What the leaks revealed is not confined to the White House. They showed that Britain’s own political culture has descended into a mess since the 2016 Brexit referendum unleashed political and administrative infighting, marked by high-level leaks. Darroch could have been referring to parts of Britain’s government.

The special UK-US relationship has long been a factor in transatlantic stability and security. Historically Britain’s ambassador to Washington has often played an integral role. Ties will survive the current rift. But strong action to deter leaks is needed if officials are to put their trust in confidentiality. The uncertainty surrounding Brexit makes fearless, apolitical advice to their political masters paramount.