British Embassy Removes Deputy Head of Mission in Washington

Britain's second most senior diplomat in Washington has been removed from his position. James Roscoe, 49, was dismissed as deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Washington, with staff notified of the move by email on Tuesday. Roscoe is facing questions as part of an investigation into the leak of top-secret discussions from a National Security Council meeting.

The discussions included verbatim comments from UK cabinet ministers about the war in Iran, according to Foreign Office sources.

Background on the Position Roscoe had served in the role since July 2022.

He also acted as ambassador for five months until February following the removal of Lord Peter Mandelson. He was responsible for daily management of the embassy alongside Sir Christian Turner, who was appointed ambassador in February. Roscoe and Turner managed the King's visit to Washington at the end of April.

Roscoe previously served as chief press officer in No 10 under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He later became communications secretary to the late Queen and director for communications at the Cabinet Office and the Department for Exiting the European Union from 2016 to 2019.

He was the UK's ambassador to the UN General Assembly in 2019. Roscoe lives in a Washington residence with his wife, Clemency Burton-Hill, a violinist and author.