Peter Mandelson must be most important voice in Trump’s ear, says ex-ambassador

Kim Darroch says Trump's second term will be like a 24/7 bar-room brawl' and UK diplomat needs thick skin'

Peter Mandelson will need to make his the most important voice" in Donald Trump's ear when the US president-elect returns to the White House next month if he is to best represent Britain's interests with the potentially chaotic administration, one of his predecessors has said.

Kim Darroch, who was the UK's ambassador to Washington for four years from 2016, said Lord Mandelson would also need a thick skin" to weather regular attacks such as that by a key Trump campaign adviser calling him an absolute moron" after his appointment.