British ambassador to US resigns after criticizing President Trump in leaked documents

The United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States has resigned, after leaked documents revealed he criticized President Donald Trump and the Trump administration in secret communications with Downing Street.

What are the details?

Over the weekend, Britain's Daily Mail published excerpts from a cache of leaked diplomatic cables sent from Ambassador Kim Darroch, showing he called the Trump administration "dysfunctional" and "inept." Sir Kim also warned that President Trump's career could end in "disgrace."

President Trump reacted to the leaked memos on Twitter, calling Darroch a "very stupid guy," and announcing that the United States "will no longer deal with him." The president also criticized outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May over her handling of Brexit.

The BBC reported Wednesday that Darroch submitted a letter of resignation to the Foreign Office, wherein he wrote, "Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador. I want to put an end to that speculation."

He continued, "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like. Although my posting is not due to end until the end of this year, I believe in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador."

He also said the situation "has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries."

According to the Guardian, Sir Kim "concluded that his position was untenable" after Conservative Boris Johnson stopped short of defending him during a debate on Tuesday. Johnson is the frontrunner in the race to replace Prime Minister May.

Speaking to Parliament Wednesday, May said she told Darroch that it is a "matter of great regret that he has felt it necessary to leave his position," the Washington Post reported.

Anything else?

An unnamed Conservative Party member told the Mail on Tuesday, "Theresa May has made an absolute mess of Brexit. There is no two ways about that. But everybody knows as well that the ambassador will be following her out the door because people are already talking about who will replace him."

The MP added that President Trump "has got it spot on. It's a pity we didn't have him doing the negotiation for us with Brussels."