LONDON (AP) — Veteran British Labor Party politician Peter Mandelson will become Britain’s next ambassador to Washington, people familiar with the decision said Thursday.
Mandelson, who held senior positions in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is expected to take up his job early next year. The announcement is expected to be made on Friday.
The current ambassador, Karen Pierce, will likely remain in her post until after President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
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News of Mandelson’s appointment was first reported by The Times of London newspaper. It was confirmed by two people familiar with the decision, who spoke on condition of anonymity because it has not been formally announced.
Mandelson was considered a front-runner for the job and considered Britain’s most important diplomatic post – especially as the protectionist Trump returned to office.
Mandelson served in the government from 1997 to 2001 and again from 2008 to 2010, and in between was Britain’s European Trade Commissioner. His trade expertise will likely prove crucial in dealing with the Trump administration, which has threatened to impose tariffs on nearly all imported goods.
In November he told the BBC he would be “very interested” in providing trade advice to whoever got the job.
It is rare for politicians to be appointed British ambassadors; the jobs usually go to career diplomats.
