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Leaked remarks by the British ambassador to the US suggesting Washington's “one true special relationship” is with Israel – not the United Kingdom – have caused a political backlash in London.
Sir Christian Turner reportedly told a group of British students in early 2026 that the United States' “special relationship” is “probably Israel,” not the United Kingdom, according to leaked audio first reported by the Financial Times.
The words, said in private but leaked publicly during a visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Washington and New York amid efforts to mend strained relations, have re-examined Britain's position in Washington at a very sensitive time for politicians.
It is reported that Turner stressed that the relationship between Britain and the US remains very close, especially in defense and security.
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“There is a deep history and understanding between us. Especially in defense and security, we are together,” according to leaked audio cited by British media. “The relationship will continue to be, if you want, 'special,' but I think it will have to be different.”
President Donald Trump met with Britain's King Charles III in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a state visit. British Ambassador to the US Christian Turner, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also in attendance. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Turner also said, according to the draft, that Britain and Europe must “work to redefine” their relationship with Washington, particularly in terms of defense, rather than relying on the American security umbrella.
The leak comes after a recent spat between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including a disagreement over Britain's stance on US-Israeli military action against Iran. Trump previously publicly criticized Starmer, saying he is “not Winston Churchill.”
A spokesman for the embassy and a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office sought to distance the government from the leaked comments, telling Fox News Digital: “These were private, informal comments made to a group of UK sixth form students who visited the US in early February. They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government's position.”
A wide-ranging informal discussion, he explains, focused on discussing the political issues of the day that students asked questions about, emphasizing that the speech was never intended as a recorded statement of government policy.
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President Donald Trump speaks with Britain's King Charles III during a dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, April 28, 2026. (Aaron Schwartz/AFP)
Nevertheless, the debate raises broader questions that go beyond diplomatic considerations: whether the symbolic “special relationship” between Washington and London has been overshadowed by US strategic priorities, especially the central role of Israel in the security calculations in the American Middle East.
Barak Seener, chief executive of the London-based Henry Jackson Society, said Turner's comments reflected a harsh reality rather than political error.
“Ambassador Christian Turner has been providing factual research that is consistent with President Trump's criticism of NATO, calling it a 'paper tiger' for not contributing to US-Israeli-led initiatives against Iran,” Seener told Fox News Digital.
Seener pointed out in his recent report, “Israel 2048: A Blueprint for an Asymmetric Geopolitical Power,” arguing that Israel's growing military power is increasingly acting as a force multiplier for US regional interests. Conversely, Seener argued, the importance of modern British strategy has been weakened despite its historical rhetoric.
“King Charles, in his recent speech to the US Congress, was forced to emphasize the shared culture and history of the UK and the US instead of recent military contributions because the UK's military and military power has been completely removed,” Seener said.
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King Charles made history as the second British monarch to address Congress, after his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, did so for the first time in 1991. (HENRY NICHOLLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
He also added that Charles' plea for joint sacrifices in the past is “irrelevant even today” given the British report of refusing to allow the use of the RAF (Royal Air Force) of the US. bases for strikes in Iran.
The White House, however, emphasized the continuation of the talks, telling Fox News Digital that, “President Trump has enjoyed welcoming his officials to the White House this week, including yesterday morning, when he highlighted the historic, special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
“The events of this visit are unprecedented and unprecedented, and the President enjoyed a wonderful dinner last night,” he added.
