UK ambassador claims Israel is now the US’s true ‘special relationship’

Leaked remarks from Britain’s ambassador to the US suggesting Washington’s “only real 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 US’s only real “special relationship” was “probably Israel” and not the UK, according to leaked audio first reported by the Financial Times.

King III. The comments, made privately but leaked publicly during Charles and Queen Camilla’s high-profile visit to Washington and New York amid efforts to repair strained relations, have brought new scrutiny to Britain’s stance in Washington at a particularly sensitive diplomatic time.

Turner reportedly emphasized that Britain’s ties with the US are deeply intertwined, especially in the areas of defense and security.

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“There is a deep history and closeness between us. We are especially close when it comes to defense and security.” According to the leaked voice recording reported by the British media. “The relationship will continue to be ‘private’ if you like, but I think it will have to be different.”

According to the minutes, Turner also said Britain and Europe should “work to redefine” their relationship with Washington, particularly in terms of defence, rather than relying on the US security umbrella.

The leak follows recent tensions between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including disagreements over Britain’s stance on US-Israeli military action against Iran. Trump had previously publicly criticized Starmer, saying he was “no Winston Churchill”.

An embassy spokesperson and a UK Foreign Office spokesman attempted to distance the government from the leaked statements, telling Fox News Digital: “These were private, unofficial comments made to a group of UK sixth form students visiting the US in early February. They are certainly not any reflection of the UK government’s position.”

He explained that the wide-ranging informal discussion focused on diplomacy and political issues of the day to which students asked questions, and emphasized that the remarks were never intended as on-the-record statements of government policy.

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President Donald Trump meets King George III of England at a state dinner held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. He’s talking to Charles. (Aaron Schwartz/AFP)

Yet the debate raises broader questions that extend beyond diplomatic perspectives: whether the symbolic “special relationship” between Washington and London has been eclipsed by the United States’ more pressing strategic priorities, particularly Israel’s central role in America’s Middle East security calculations.

Barak Seener, a senior fellow at the London-based Henry Jackson Society, said Turner’s remarks reflected a stark strategic reality rather than a diplomatic mistake.

“Ambassador Christian Turner gave a realistic assessment that echoed President Trump’s criticism of NATO, calling NATO a ‘paper tiger’ for not contributing to joint US-Israeli-led operations against Iran,” Seener told Fox News Digital.

Seener pointed out. last report“Israel 2048: A Blueprint for Asymmetric Geopolitical Power” argues that Israel’s expanding military capabilities increasingly serve as a force multiplier for U.S. regional interests. Seener, by contrast, argued that, despite its historical rhetoric, Britain’s modern strategic value was weakening.

“In his last speech to the US Congress, King Charles had to emphasize the shared culture and history of the UK and US rather than recent military contributions because the UK’s naval and military capabilities were completely depleted,” Seener said. he said.

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King Charles made history as the second British monarch to address Congress, after his mother, Queen Elizabeth, addressed Congress in 1991. (HENRY NICHOLLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

He added that Charles’ calls for shared sacrifice in the past “have no relevance today”, given the report that Britain has refused to allow US use of the RAF (Royal Air Force). Bases of attacks against Iran.

But the White House emphasized the continuity of the debate, telling Fox News Digital: “President Trump has enjoyed hosting Her Majesty at the White House this week, including yesterday morning, highlighting the historic, 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 fine State Dinner last evening,” he added.