King honours British diplomat following abrupt Washington departure amid security probe
The Foreign Office confirms James Roscoe has left the Washington embassy, while an investigation continues into a national security council leak concerning potential US strikes on Iran.
James Roscoe, who served as interim ambassador at the British embassy in Washington, has been awarded the Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by King Charles. The honour was conferred on 30 April, following the monarch’s recent state visit to the United States, and was published in the Crown’s official public record, the Gazette, on Wednesday.
Roscoe abruptly left his post earlier this week while standing in for Peter Mandelson. No official reason has been provided for his departure, though a Foreign Office spokesperson issued a brief statement confirming that Roscoe had left his post.
An investigation is underway into a leak from a UK national security council meeting concerning discussions on allowing the US to use British bases for strikes against Iran. Senior officials at the British embassy in Washington have been questioned as part of this probe. Discussions within the national security council are protected by the Official Secrets Act, and leaks are considered serious breaches.
The LVO is an honour that recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch. The award was granted in connection with the 250th anniversary of American independence and the state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla. There is a precedent for recognising staff involved in planning state visits with such honours.
Roscoe, a former chief press officer for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, had served as deputy head of the mission since 2022 and held postings in Sierra Leone and Iraq. He had been tipped to take up the ambassadorial post permanently, but the role ultimately went to Christian Turner. Mandelson was previously sacked from his post as ambassador due to his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Roscoe’s award but noted the timing of the honour relative to the state visit. The Crown’s official record stated the king had been “graciously pleased” to grant a series of appointments linked to the royal trip.