James Roscoe, the UK’s deputy ambassador to the United States and deputy head of mission in Washington, leaves his post abruptly, according to multiple reports. The BBC and The Guardian cite a brief statement from a Foreign Office spokesman confirming that Roscoe has left his post, with no immediate official reason provided. The New York Times and Newsweek also report that an explanation is not given at the time of publication.
Several outlets say Roscoe had been in the role since July 2022. The Independent and others report that he stood in as interim ambassador after Lord Peter Mandelson was sacked from a previous US role. The Mirror and the Daily Mail add that media reporting links Roscoe’s departure to claims that he is facing questioning connected with a leak of top-secret information, including details involving UK national security discussions. The Guardian notes that an investigation is under way into a reported leak related to discussions at a meeting of the UK’s National Security Council.
In a separate detail, The Guardian reports that Roscoe was honoured by King Charles, receiving the LVO after a recent US visit. Sources agree on the abrupt exit and lack of an official explanation at the outset.
