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Leaked comments from the British ambassador to the United States suggesting that Washington's “only true special relationship” is with Israel – not the UK – have sparked a political backlash in London.
Sir Christian Turner reportedly told a group of British students in early 2026 that the United States' only real “special relationship” is “probably Israel,” not the United Kingdom, according to leaked audio first reported by the Financial Times.
The comments, made privately but leaked publicly during King Charles III and Queen Camilla's high-profile visit to Washington and New York amid efforts to repair strained relations, have put fresh scrutiny on Britain's position in Washington at a particularly sensitive diplomatic time.
Turner reportedly emphasized that Britain's ties with the United States remain deeply intertwined, particularly in defense and security.
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“There is a deep history and affinity between us. Especially in defense and security, we are intertwined.” according to a leaked audio cited by British media. “The relationship will still be, if you want, 'special', but I think it will have to be different.”
President Donald Trump meets 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. Also present were the British ambassador to the United States, Christian Turner, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yvette Cooper, the Vice President JD Vance and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Turner also said, according to the transcript, 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 recent tensions between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including disagreements over Britain's stance toward US-Israeli military action against Iran. Trump previously publicly criticized Starmer, saying he was “no Winston Churchill.”
An embassy spokesperson and a UK Foreign Office spokesperson attempted 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 visiting the US in early February. They are certainly no reflection of the UK government's position.”
The wide-ranging informal discussion, he explained, focused on the diplomacy and political issues of the day about which students asked questions, emphasizing that the comments were clearly never intended to be recorded statements of government policy.
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President Donald Trump speaks with Britain's King Charles III during a state dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, April 28, 2026. (Aarón Schwartz/AFP)
Still, the controversy raises broader questions that extend beyond diplomatic optics: whether the symbolic “special relationship” between Washington and London has been overshadowed by more immediate U.S. strategic priorities, particularly Israel's central role in U.S. security calculations in the Middle East.
Barak Seener, a senior fellow at the London-based Henry Jackson Society, said Turner's comments reflected a harsh strategic reality rather than a diplomatic error.
“Ambassador Christian Turner was giving a realistic assessment that echoed President Trump's criticism of NATO, calling it a 'paper tiger' for not contributing to joint US-Israeli-led operations against Iran,” Seener told Fox News Digital.
Seener pointed to his recent report, “Israel 2048: A Blueprint for Asymmetric Geopolitical Power,” arguing that Israel's growing military capabilities increasingly function as a force multiplier for US regional interests. On the contrary, Seener argued, Britain's modern strategic value has 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 United Kingdom and the United States rather than recent military contributions simply because the UK's naval and military capabilities have been left completely empty,” 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 added that Charles's invocation of past joint sacrifices “has no relevance today” given Britain's refusal to allow the United States' use of the RAF (Royal Air Force). bases for attacks against Iran.
The White House, however, emphasized continuity over controversy, telling Fox News Digital that “President Trump has enjoyed welcoming Their Majesties to the White House this week, including yesterday morning when he highlighted the historic and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
“The events of this visit are unprecedented in scope and spectacle, and the President enjoyed hosting a beautiful State Dinner last night,” he added.
