Politico had a big scoop yesterday – that President Trump would accept Lord Mandelson as the next UK Ambassador to the US. The claim was based on two anonymous briefings who said Mandelson has received agrément, a diplomatic approval meaning the deal is done…
A number of Trump team insiders expressed scepticism to Guido. One pointed out: “agrément is just a state department process thing… it means nothing about President Trump running with this, it’s up to him.” An intervention from the President to upend diplomatic norms would hardly be unprecedented, 47 does what he likes…
To be fair, the report did point out that “Mandelson will still need to hand a so-called “letter of credence” to Trump on arrival in Washington, to formalize his acceptance.” It’s not in the bag just yet for the dark Lord…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”