In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, former US acting director of national intelligence Ric Grenell has made explosive claims about British political figures attempting to collaborate with him against then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The controversial Trump loyalist, speaking at the National Conservatism conference in Washington, alleged that multiple UK establishment figures approached him seeking assistance to "take down" the Conservative leader.
Diplomatic Earthquake
Grenell, who also served as Donald Trump's ambassador to Germany, told attendees: "I had people from the UK, the establishment of the UK, come to me and say, 'Would you please help us take down Boris Johnson?'" He claimed these approaches came from "the very top of the UK establishment."
The former diplomat didn't specify whether these approaches occurred during Johnson's premiership or earlier, but the implications have created a diplomatic firestorm.
Establishment Backlash
Lord Mandelson, the former Labour business secretary, immediately dismissed Grenell's claims as "complete nonsense" and questioned his credibility. "The idea that members of the British establishment would seek the help of someone like Grenell to unseat a British prime minister is utterly far-fetched," he stated.
Grenell, known for his hardline conservative views and close ties to Trump's inner circle, has previously faced criticism for his controversial diplomatic style during his tenure in Berlin.
Broader Political Context
These revelations emerge amid ongoing tensions within the Conservative Party and questions about the future of UK-US relations. Grenell's comments at the NatCon conference, where he also criticised Rishi Sunak's government for being "too liberal," highlight the growing divide between different factions of conservatism on both sides of the Atlantic.
The allegations raise serious questions about foreign interference in British politics and the boundaries of diplomatic relationships during particularly volatile political periods.
