Exclusive: Whitehall officials raise fears about Mark Sedwill’s newspaper article warning of president’s ‘blundering’ behaviour
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Mark Sedwill’s prospects of becoming the UK’s ambassador in Washington have taken a blow after officials raised concerns about an article he wrote in 2021 praising Joe Biden and criticising Donald Trump.
The former cabinet secretary and national security adviser has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to succeed Peter Mandelson in Washington. But some in government are worried about an article he wrote four years ago in which he made several criticisms of Trump after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden.
The concerns reflect divides in Whitehall over how to manage the relationship with a volatile White House after the brief but eventful tenure of Lord Mandelson, who was one of the few overtly political holders of the role.
