US special relationship is not with Britain but with Israel: British Ambassador

British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner has said that the United States does not have a special relationship with Britain, but rather with Israel.

According to a report by the British newspaper Financial Times, in a leaked audio the British ambassador said that a close relationship does exist between the United States and Britain, particularly in the fields of defense and the economy; however, global conditions are changing rapidly.

Sir Christian Turner further said that cooperation between the United States and Britain will continue, but this relationship is no longer the same as before and is taking on a new form in line with the changing global situation.

He said that Europe can no longer rely entirely on the United States’ security system, and also stated that at present the United States has a special relationship with only one country, and that country is Israel.

The British ambassador also emphasized the need for Western allied countries to reassess their relationships and responsibilities in the current era.

On the other hand, the British Foreign Office, reacting to this statement, said that these are the ambassador’s personal views and opinions and do not reflect the government’s official policy