Sir Kim Darroch, Britain’s ambassador to the United States has resigned amid a dispute over the diplomat’s leaked emails that were critical of President Donald Trump.
Darroch, 65, said he was resigning to put an end to speculation surrounding how long he would stay on as Britain’s envoy in Washington after diplomatic cables he sent back to London described the Trump administration as “inept” and ‘dysfunctional’.
“The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like,” Darroch wrote in his resignation letter to the head of Britain’s foreign civil service.
Outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May had offered her full support to Kim Darroch after he was revealed to have described the Trump administration as “inept”.
But the man tipped to replace her in Downing Street in the coming weeks, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, declined to explicitly back the diplomat, emphasising instead the need to maintain strong ties with the US.
In a series of confidential cables revealed by a British newspaper at the weekend, Darroch described the Trump administration as “uniquely dysfunctional”.
Trump hit back with a torrent of angry tweets, saying he would not deal with Darroch again, and describing him as a “very stupid guy” and a “pompous fool”.
He also criticised May’s “foolish” policies and said it was a good thing she would soon be replaced.
Darroch has been in Washington since January 2016 and was due to stay on until the end of the year.
Darroch has received support from across the political spectrum in Britain and after he resigned, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “It should never have come to this.”
Hunt, who is vying with Johnson to replace May as leader of the ruling Conservative party and thus prime minister, on Tuesday condemned Trump’s outbursts as “disrespectful and wrong”.
But Johnson declined several opportunities in a TV debate on Tuesday night to back Britain’s ambassador.
Of Trump’s tweets, he said: “I don’t think it was necessarily the right thing for him to do… but our relationship with the US is of fantastic importance.”
Reports suggest that it was at that point that Darroch decided that he must resign.
May expressed “great regret” that Darroch was leaving, saying: “Good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice.”
She emphasised “the importance of defending our values and principles particularly when they are under pressure”.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the separatist Scottish National Party, said Darroch had been “forced out” for doing his job.
“Boris Johnson’s failure last night to stand up for him — and stand up to the behaviour of Donald Trump — spoke volumes,” she said.
Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative chairman of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, warned the incident could have far-reaching implications.
“If the UK can’t protect diplomatic communications and that costs people their careers, when all they’ve done is to execute the wishes of the government, we will degrade the quality of our envoys, diminish our influence and weaken our country,” he said.
Tag: resigns
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British ambassador to USA, Kim Darroch resigns after Trump cables leak
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Wike’s aide who exposed military invasion of Rivers gov. poll resigns
Oraye St. Franklyn, the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has resigned his position.
Recall Oraye was widely mentioned in the media during the 2019 general election for exposing many video clips on alleged military’s perpetuation of election violence in Rivers State.
In his resignation letter dated 30th May 2019, Oraye who congratulated Wike on his re-election and Inauguration for a 2nd term in office thanked the governor over his appointment on the 5th of November, 2015 as the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media.
The letter partly reads, “The last four years were a period of great trials for all Rivers people as, indeed, it was of cherished accomplishments for the greatest number of our people on the strength of your sterling leadership. For me, it was a remarkable opportunity to stand in defense of my belief in democracy.
“I feel privileged to have been able to contribute modestly, in support of your patriotic stance for our people, at ensuring our dear Rivers State never became a conquered territory.
“Your re-election was enunciated on the strength of our collective success and made effective ultimately by God’s grace.
“Having been part of our success story, I wish to now step down from my position as Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Social Media.
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BREAKING: Onnoghen resigns as Chief Justice of Nigeria
Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect.
According to a report by TheCable, the embattled CJN who is facing the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, trial over alleged false assets declaration turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday evening.
Prior to this, the National Judicial Council (NJC) had recommended Onnoghen’s compulsory retirement to the president after an emergency meeting on Thursday.
He had on Wednesday closed his defence at CCT after calling only one witness, his driver.
More details later…
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SDP spokesperson resigns, defects to APC
The National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Princess Marian Tolofari, has resigned from the party.
Princess Tolofari confirmed her resignation in a letter made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to her, the resignation and defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is with immediate effect.
“This to inform the general public and the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of my resignation from my position as the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP and my exit from the party.
“This resignation and defection is with immediate effect,” part of the statement read.
Princess Tolofari explained that her “resignation followed many months of consultation with my political leader and Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi, and other associates on the need to return to the political tree and family for which I have been associated for many years in Rivers State in particular and in the country.
“My pursuits in the SDP had been useful but alienated me from my grassroots political movement.
“I wish to thank all those I have associated with in the SDP and wish the party well.”
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BREAKING: Akpabio resigns as Senate Minority Leader
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has resigned as the Minority Leader of the 8th Senate.Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West, may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Wednesday.In the words of his media aide, Mr. Jackson Udom, the resignation letter was dated August 4, 2028.
Udom stated that the letter was addressed to the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.The statement said: “Senator Akpabio thanked the Senate leadership, the minority leadership, all distinguished Senators, his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opportunity to lead the PDP Caucus in the last three years.“Senator Akpabio is expected to be received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.”
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Ecobank MD tenders resignation letter
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced the resignation of Mr Charles Kie as the managing director of Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
The ETI, in a statement on Monday to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, said prior to his current role at Ecobank Nigeria, Kie was the group executive, corporate and investment bank for ETI.
Kie joined Ecobank in October 2011 as Chief Operating Officer of the then Ecobank Capital, and was subsequently appointed the head of the group’s corporate banking business.
According to the statement, the board will immediately activate the process of selecting a successor.
“The successful candidate will be announced before the end of August. Mr Kie will continue to manage Ecobank Nigeria through the transition period to ensure a smooth handover to his successor,” it said.
The Ecobank Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ade Ayeyemi, said, “As Charles prepares to leave the Ecobank Group, I would like to thank him for his immense contributions to the group. He has certainly laid a strong foundation at Ecobank Nigeria and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Kie was quoted as saying, “I am proud of what the team and I have achieved together, and I thank them for the good work and their unwavering commitment to Ecobank.
“I also extend my sincere appreciation to the board. Despite some of the market challenges that we faced over the years, our customers have always been loyal, and it is their patronage that makes the future brighter.”
The Board Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr John Aboh, also congratulated Kie for the good work he and his team had done, and said he looked forward to the bank sustaining and improving on this.
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‘Oyinlola dumps APC ahead of 2019, writes Buhari…’
Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has dumped the All Progressives Congress, [APC] and set to take on a new political course outside the ruling party.
He has also resigned his appointment as chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Oyinlola announced his exit from APC, a day after TheNewsGuru.com reported that he released a letter he co-signed with former national chairman of nPDP – in which the group [nPDP bloc of APC] listed several grievances and demanded an emergency meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
On Thursday, Oyinlola, wrote his resignation letter dated May 9, and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The letter reads:
“Sir, I write to resign my appointment as the chairman of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) with effect from today, 9th May, 2018.
“Your Excellency, I must put on record my very deep sense of appreciation for the special privilege and consideration you gave me to serve our fatherland in that capacity.
“As I stated in my appreciation letter to you shortly after the appointment, the offer was a clear call to service.
“I gave the job the dedication it deserved and would have loved to continue but I regret to inform Your Excellency that I have a new, greater political engagement that will make that difficult and even impolitic.
“Sir, as one of my bosses in the army, I believe you would understand my stand given recent political developments.
“The training I got as a decorated officer and gentleman precluded me from engaging in any act that could amount to disloyalty and conflict of interest.
“I am moving on to chart a new course in my politics outside the ruling party and this thus, demands my dropping the NIMC chairmanship.
“I thank you, sir, once again for the great honour and confidence reposed in me. However, there is time to take a job and another time to leave it and move on.
“For me, the time to work on something else in the interest and service of our people is now. I wish Your Excellency goodluck while praying that you will finish well and strong in the service of our country.”
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‘Buhari vows to resign if…’
President Muhammadu Buhari has given a timeline that he may resign by a specific time if he doesn’t recover from his undisclosed illness.
Buhari left Nigeria for London on May 7 to attend to his failing health and since then, his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has been acting in his stead.
According to an interview with a source in the presidency, a report in the INDEPENDENT stated that Buhari has told his close aides that if he doesn’t recover by a specific date, he will tender his resignation letter.
Quoting their source: “The president is not desperate to cling on to power if his health cannot carry him. I can tell you authoritatively that he has given a timeline that if he doesn’t recover fully on a specific date, he will file in his resignation letter and if you know President Buhari very well, he meant what he said.
“That is why Nigerians who love the president and his efforts in restoring Nigeria’s lost glory should continue to pray for his quick recovery. It will be to our disservice if he dies as some people are wishing him”, said the presidency source.
Meanwhile, recall TheNewsGuru.com published that a pro-democracy group, ‘Concerned Nigerians’, on Monday commenced an everyday protest, where they demanded the immediate resumption or resignation of the president, lamenting that Buhari’s 92-day absence was unacceptable.
The group, which was led by Deji Adeyanju, said it was unfortunate that but for few cabals, the president’s true state of health is unknown to Nigerians who voted him into office, urging that he resigns honourably.
It also accused the parliament of complicity in the whole drama for not deeming it necessary to demand a medical inquiry into the true state of health of the president.
READ: Just in: Police injured Journalist, protesters seeking Buhari’s resignation
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Alabama governor, Robert Bentley, 74 resigns over affair with aide
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley resigned on Monday after pleading guilty to two campaign misdemeanors amid allegations that he misused public resources to pursue an affair with a former aide.
He was also accused of intimidating officials in an attempt to cover it up.
Public allegations of an affair between Bentley and former senior political adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason did not break out until March 2016, according to reports.
“I have decided it is time for me to step down as Alabama’s governor,” Bentley, a Republican who faced mounting criticism from his own party, said at the state Capitol shortly after he was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and released.
Shortly afterward, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, a former state treasurer, was sworn in as Alabama’s 54th governor, vowing that her administration “will be open, transparent, and it will be honest”.
As part of a plea deal, Bentley agreed to perform 100 hours of community service and repay his campaign fund 8,912 dollars. He also forfeited the $36, 000 in the campaign account.
In turn, the state Attorney-General’s office will not pursue felonies against him.
Bentley, 74,had faced an impeachment move from his Republican legislators. He apologized to the citizens of the state.
“I’ve always believed the honour of serving as your governor was a calling that God placed on my life.
“Though I have committed myself to working to improve the lives of the people of our state, there have been times that I have let you and our people down, and I’m sorry for that”.
Speculation about the governor’s inappropriate behavior began in August 2015, when Bentley’s wife of 50 years, Dianne, abruptly filed for divorce, stating in court records that their marriage had suffered an “irretrievable breakdown”.
Speculations became rife after Bentley fired the state’s top law enforcement official, Spencer Collier, saying that an internal investigation at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency uncovered possible wrongdoing.
Within hours, Collier spoke out against the governor, alleging that he had seen and investigated sexual text messages and audio recordings between Bentley and Mason.
“When I stand behind you, and I put my arms around you, and I put my hands on your breasts and just pull you real close. I love that too,” Bentley said in one audio recording.
“If we’re going to do what we did the other day, we’re going to have to start locking the door,” he was also heard saying.
According to reports, Bentley made little effort to hide his relationship with Mason while at one point, he mistakenly sent a text message saying, “I love you Rebekah”, to his then-wife, Dianne.
Dianne also secretly recorded her husband speaking to Mason, reports said.
Bentley, a state representative and dermatologist, was elected governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.
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Drama as Rivers Speaker resigns, succeeded by Ikunyi
The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabotorudima has announced his resignation during a sitting of the House yesterday.
The former speaker made the announcement after swearing-in twelve newly elected members of the house who emerged from the December 10 legislative rerun in the state.
However, Mr. Ibani Ikuinyi-Owaji who resigned from office a year ago as Speaker under controversial circumstances has been reelected in an exercise that was conducted by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Marshal Uwom.
Ikuinyi-Owaji resigned as Speaker on December 18, 2015 after Governor Nyesom Wike had presented the 2016 budget before the House.