Former UK minister Lord Peter Mandelson resigns as member of ruling Labour Party

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday confirmed the appointment of veteran Labour politician Peter Mandelson a former minister and EU trade commissioner as the next ambassador to the United StatesMandelson 71 will take up the post early next year Downing Street said just as US presidentelect Donald Trump returns to the White House for a second term The United States is one of our most important allies and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship Peter will bring unrivalled experience to the role and take our partnership from strength to strength Starmer said in a statementMandelsons appointment comes amid reported unease within the UK government about the prospects for Londons socalled special relationship with Washington during Trumps second presidencyThe US presidentelects threat to impose blanket tariffs on all imports is a particular concern for Starmers new Labour government which has vowed to boost Britains sluggish economic growth rates of recent yearsThe UK leader has been criticised heavily this year by Trump confidant Elon Musk Mandelson will replace Karen Pierce the current ambassador in Washington who has been credited with forging strong links with the many staffers and advisors in Trumps teamTrump aide Chris LaCivita attacks Peter Mandelsons US Ambassador role says he should stay at homeBut in a sign of the likely fraught nature of transatlantic ties under Trump the choice drew an immediate rebuke from a senior figure within his presidential election teamCampaign comanager Chris LaCivita took to X to note Mandelsons previous description of the Republican leader as little short of a white nationalist and racist This UK govt is special replace a professional universally respected Ambo with an absolute moron he should stay home SAD he postedThe stinging criticism follows Trumps campaign team accusing Starmers Labour party of interference during the recent US election over claims party staffers were helping his Democratic rival Kamala HarrisMeanwhile Mandelsons critique of Trump is reminiscent of disparaging remarks made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy who previously called the incoming US president a tyrant and xenophobicLammy on Friday praised Mandelsons wealth of experience in trade economic and foreign policy from his years in government and the private sector He will arrive in Washington DC as we deepen our enduring alliance with the incoming United States administration particularly on growth and security he addedMandelson an EU trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008 who also cofounded the international public policy advisory firm Global Counsel called his appointment a great honour We face challenges in Britain but also big opportunities he addedIt will be a privilege to work with the government to land those opportunities both for our economy and our nations security and to advance our historic alliance with the United StatesPredecessor praisedMandelson is the first political appointment for the US envoy role in decades Britain typically picks seasoned diplomats to be ambassadorsIn his statement Starmer thanked Pierce for her invaluable service for the last four years and in particular the wisdom and steadfast support she has given me personally since July She made history as the first woman to serve as UK ambassador to the US he noted adding that she had been an outstanding representative of our country abroadMandelsons return to a prominent government role represents a remarkable comeback for a politician who was last in the UK government when Gordon Brown was prime minister in the late 2000sA key architect in rebranding the Labour party in the 1990s after it had spent nearly two decades out of power he went on to become one of the countrys most divisive political figures A close ally of exprime minister Tony Blair Mandelson headed several UK government departments between 1998 and 2001 but twice resigned after becoming embroiled in scandals He then made a surprise 18month return to government in 2008More recently he has served as a member of Britains unelected House of Lords the upper chamber of parliamentThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever