Donald Trump’s state visit was looking controversial enough.
It is now happening off the back of a scandal that’s claimed the scalp of the prime minister’s man in Washington.
That is more than unfortunate.
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For all the faults that lost him his job, Lord Mandelson was an effective ambassador to the court of King Donald.
He went from someone many thought completely unpalatable to the US president to earning the nickname the Trump whisperer.
Peter Mandelson’s charm, oleaginous to some, was ideally suited to stroking the presidential ego – as evidenced in that extraordinary Oval Office moment as Trump unveiled his trade agreement with the UK.
And it was deployed in the grand Lutyens mansion that is the ambassador’s residence on Massachusetts Avenue, courting the great and the good of the Trump era Washington.
Replacing Lord Mandelson will take time.
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A political appointment will be quicker than a civil service pick but there is unlikely to be time for either before Trump’s state visit next week.
Who is in the running to be US ambassador?
Sir Keir Starmer could send back the former ambassador Karen Pierce.
A skilled veteran diplomat, she is highly regarded by all sides of Washington’s divided politics.
But reappointing her would be an admission the prime minister made a mistake appointing Mr Mandelson instead of keeping her on, say diplomatic observers.
Other possible contenders include former foreign secretary David Milliband, or former EU foreign affairs supremo Baroness Catherine Ashton.
Also on the list of civil service favourites is Sir Philip Barton, the former deputy ambassador to Washington and permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office.
Mr Starmer could not have lost his ambassador at a worse time.
When he invited Mr Trump for a second state visit, flourishing the King’s letter in the Oval Office, it was seen as clever diplomacy.
But Donald Trump’s erratic behaviour has taken the shine off the achievement.
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That trade agreement with the UK – unveiled with such fanfare and nurtured by Lord Mandelson – has fallen short of its initial promise under deeper scrutiny.
And the prime minister and the King will now be hosting a US president at odds with his European allies over Ukraine.
Read more:
No 10 appointed Mandelson despite concerns
Analysis – why wasn’t Mandelson fired yesterday?
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Donald Trump has proven suspiciously close to Vladimir Putin, and, like the Russian leader, opposed to an immediate ceasefire and, for now at least, more severe sanctions on Russia’s oil trade.
The president’s conduct over Iran and Gaza, and his unorthodox trade policies, deepen the chasm between the US and His Majesty’s Government.
His visit here will be unwelcome and deeply unpopular among many.
That is only likely to aggravate relations with this prickly president further.
Lord Mandelson’s ability to reduce the fallout and navigate deeply problematic waters will be sorely missed.
