Incoming British ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson has claimed Donald Trump has "won his respect" in a major walk-back on his prior attacks on the President.
Mandelson, who just yesterday was referred to the FBI by US Senators over his China links, admitted his previous comments on Trump were "ill-judged and wrong" - and said "times have changed".
He told Fox News: "I consider my remarks about President Trump as ill-judged and wrong... I think that times and attitudes toward the President have changed."
He had previously referred to Trump as a "bully", "reckless", and a "danger to the world".
Lord Mandelson continued: "I think that he has won fresh respect... He certainly has from me, and that is going to be the basis of all the work I do as His Majesty's ambassador in the United States."
'Trump could become one of the most consequential American presidents I have known in my adult life,' Mandelson said
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The long-time Labour grandee also quashed rumours that Donald Trump might step into block his appointment to the key diplomatic post.
"I've heard nothing from the President or the White House or anyone working for him that suggests that there's going to be any difficulty about my appointment," Mandelson said.
He also issued a rallying call to the "special relationship" following the news that Trump had held a phone call with Sir Keir Starmer over the weekend.
"They're not Siamese twins, President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer, but they're both pragmatic people," he said.
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Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump are 'both pragmatic people', Mandelson told the broadcaster
PA"They know where each is coming from, they want to find common ground. I feel very optimistic. I feel very upbeat about the relationship that they’re both going to have.
"The President isn't a career diplomat, and I'm not a career diplomat... I came into politics to change things for the better for people, and so did he.
"We share a similar, if not identical, outlook on the world and motivation in politics. But I think above all, we believe in something which is really special between our countries."
One country which has joined the Labour peer in recent headlines is China - however, Mandelson claimed Britain and America could work together to "outsmart" Beijing.
'The President isn't a career diplomat, and I'm not a career diplomat,' the Labour grandee said as he pledged to find common ground with Trump
REUTERS"There are so many threats and challenges the world is facing at the moment," he added.
"It takes courage, somebody, sometimes, who's prepared to be argumentative and, indeed, disruptive, not just take business as usual.
"Frankly, I think President Trump could become one of the most consequential American presidents I have known in my adult life," Mandelson said.
