Further Leaked Emails Say Trump Dumped Iran Nuclear Deal In Act Of "Diplomatic Vandalism"

14 July 2019, 07:34 | Updated: 14 July 2019, 09:14

Britain's ambassador to the United States said Donald Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear deal in an "act of diplomatic vandalism" because it was agreed by his predecessor Barack Obama, according to new leaked emails.

In newly leaked memos, Sir Kim Darroch told Downing Street that Donald Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear agreement "seemingly for ideological and personality reasons".

The ambassador, who resigned his post after the US President called him a "pompous fool" and "stupid guy" on Twitter, described Mr Trump's actions as "diplomatic vandalism".

The email from 2018 said: "The outcome illustrated the paradox of this White House: You got exceptional access, seeing everyone short of the President; but on the substance, the administration is set upon an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons - it was Obama's deal.

"Moreover, they can't articulate any 'day-after' strategy; and contacts with State Department this morning suggest no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies, whether in Europe or the region."

A spokesperson for The Mail on Sunday, who leaked the cables, said: "The media must be free to publish such information, in the public interest, as long as it does not endanger lives or national security.

"Our readers across the globe now have important information about how Britain tried, but failed, to stop President Trump abandoning the Iran nuclear deal.

"What could be more in the public interest than a better understanding of how this position was reached, which may have serious consequences for world peace?"

But a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said the person responsible for the leak should "face the consequences of their actions".

"It's not news that the US and UK differ in how to ensure Iran is never able to acquire a nuclear weapon; but this does underline that we do not shy away from talking about our differences and working together," they said.

The latest publication comes after Scotland Yard warned journalists that any further publication of the ambassador's emails could be a criminal offence and the documents should be returned to the government.

But the advice sparked a row, forcing the force to clarify that it does not intend to restrict press freedom.

Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said the force "has no intention of seeking to prevent editors from publishing" stories that are in the public interest, and was merely alerting the media "to the risk of breaching the Official Secrets Act (OSA)".

"We know these documents and potentially others remain in circulation," he said, adding: "We have a duty to prevent as well as detect crime and the previous statement was intended to alert to the risk of breaching the OSA".

The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is investigating the leak.