Christian Turner is a mandarin’s mandarin. His appointment to the most glamorous posting in the UK diplomatic service is a victory for the Sir Humphreys over the politicians.
After the disaster and humiliation of Peter Mandelson‘s demise over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it always made sense to appoint a scandal-free career diplomat as his successor.
Father-of-two Dr Turner is 53 but looks half his age. But his youthful appearance hides a long experience as a diplomat and civil servant serving prime ministers dating back to Tony Blair.
Christian Turner during a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Italy in 2024. Pic: Reuters
The Foreign Office announcement of his appointment describes him as “one of the UK’s most experienced diplomats”. And the top mandarins at the FCDO will be delighted they’ve got their man.
When Lord Mandelson was appointed last year, the senior cabinet minister Peter Kyle told Sky News the government had decided that he was “worth the risk”.
And what a risk it turned out to be. Will they never learn? “Mandy” – as he’s always been known in Westminster – had previously been forced to resign from the cabinet not once, but twice.
Lord Peter Mandelson and Sir Keir Starmer. File pic: PA
He declared in an angry and defiant victory speech when he held his Commons seat in Hartlepool: “I’m a fighter, not a quitter.” But not long after that, he quit to become a Brussels commissioner.
Dr Turner, on the other hand, has enjoyed a stellar and unblemished career as a diplomat. His most high-profile international post so far was high commissioner to Pakistan, where he was said to be immensely popular.
One of his earlier diplomatic posts was high commissioner in Kenya, when he had to lead the UK’s response to the Westgate Mall terrorist attack, in which 71 people were killed.
UK high commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner, right, and US ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec, centre, in 2012. File pic: AP
So he’s seen as a safe pair of hands and is unlikely to attract scandal and controversy in the way that his predecessor did, with his relationships with colourful tycoons and oligarchs as well as love of the high life.
Nevertheless, the Washington posting comes with some of the best perks in the diplomatic world, notably the luxurious Lutyens mansion that serves as the ambassador’s residence on Massachusetts Avenue.
Dr Turner saw off some distinguished rivals for the top job in the diplomatic service, including chief Varun Chandra, Sir Keir Starmer‘s business adviser, who is credited with being the architect of recent trade agreements with President Trump.
Varun Chandra. File pic: AP
Until this week, he was seen as the frontrunner for the job, and as a sop for not getting the Washington post, he will now have an expanded role, including taking a lead role in trade talks with the US.
A late entry in what became a three-horse race was Nigel Casey, Britain’s ambassador in Moscow.
But ultimately, he was seen as indispensable in his current role, given the volatile relations with President Putin and the continuing war in Ukraine.
British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey. File pic: Reuters
The PM interviewed all three candidates last week and his choice of Dr Turner is seen as a victory for Sir Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top diplomat, whose career has prospered despite criticism of his role as the UK’s post-Brexit negotiator, over government ministers.
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Insiders claim there will be Champagne corks popping in the Foreign Office’s King Charles Street HQ because Dr Turner is their man and will report back to the FCDO rather than No 10.
If Lord Mandelson – the “prince of darkness” in his days as a Labour spin doctor – was seen as Sir Keir’s “Trump whisperer”, Dr Turner will be the PM’s – and, more importantly, the Foreign Office’s – eyes and ears.
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