British diplomat who left Washington post honored by King Charles

A senior British diplomat who abruptly left his post at the UK embassy in Washington earlier this week after serving as interim ambassador for Peter Mandelson has been honored by King Charles III.

No reason has been given for James Roscoe’s departure. An investigation is underway into the leak of discussions from a meeting of the UK’s National Security Council.

Senior officials at the embassy are believed to have been questioned as part of the probe, following reports this year of cabinet divisions over a National Security Council meeting concerning U.S. use of British bases for strikes against Iran.

Those discussions are protected under the Official Secrets Act, and a leak from the National Security Council is considered a serious breach.

Roscoe, deputy head of mission since 2022, was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by the king on April 30. The honor recognizes distinguished personal service to the monarch.

The appointment was linked to the recent state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla to the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

On Wednesday, the Crown’s official public record, the Gazette, said the king had been “graciously pleased” to grant a series of appointments connected to last month’s royal trip.

Roscoe, a former chief press officer in Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, received the LVO, allowing him to use the letters after his name.

Roscoe, whose earlier postings included Sierra Leone and Iraq, stepped in when Mandelson was dismissed over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was considered a candidate for the top job, but the post went to Christian Turner.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: “James Roscoe has left his post.” Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Roscoe’s award but noted the honors were made last month. There is precedent for recognizing staff involved in planning state visits.