UK’s deputy ambassador in Washington has quit, Foreign Office says

UK Foreign Office says deputy ambassador in Washington has quit

Mohan Sinha
21 May 2026, 17:54 GMT+10

Britain's second most senior diplomat in Washington, James Roscoe, has left his post, the British Foreign Office said early on May 20.
Roscoe was appointed to the role in July 2022. From September 2025 to February 2026, he served as Chargé d’Affaires to the United States after Peter Mandelson was removed as ambassador.
As chargé d’affaires to the U.S., Roscoe played an important role during Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in September 2025.

LONDON, U.K.: Britain's second most senior diplomat in Washington, James Roscoe, has left his post, the British Foreign Office said early on May 20.

It was unclear why Roscoe, the deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Washington, left his position so abruptly, and the UK Foreign Office did not provide further details.

Roscoe could not be contacted for a comment.

He was appointed to the role in July 2022. From September 2025 to February 2026, he served as Chargé d'Affaires to the United States after Peter Mandelson was removed as ambassador over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Christian Turner was named Britain's ambassador to the U.S. in December and officially started the job in February.

As chargé d'affaires to the U.S., Roscoe played an important role during Donald Trump's state visit to the UK in September 2025. More recently, he helped with King Charles's state visit to the U.S. to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

Before going to Washington, Roscoe was the UK ambassador to the United Nations. He had also worked as communications chief for Queen Elizabeth II from 2013 to 2016.

He also served as chief press officer at Downing Street under prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Earlier in his career, he had diplomatic postings in Sierra Leone and Iraq.