New Zealand sacks high commissioner to UK over comments critical of Trump

The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs has dismissed the country's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff, due to critical remarks he made about U.S. President Donald Trump. This action has sparked widespread attention and could potentially impact New Zealand's relationship with the United States, raising concerns about diplomatic fallout.

Goff made the aforementioned remarks at a forum in London on Tuesday, where he appeared to question President Trump's understanding of history. He compared Trump's efforts to ease relations with Russia to the actions of British wartime leader Winston Churchill, who fought against Nazi Germany. Goff's comments elicited laughter from the audience and ignited a political storm within New Zealand, drawing criticism from various political factions.

During a question to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who was a guest speaker at the forum, Goff stated that he was rereading a famous 1938 speech by Churchill. Goff quoted Churchill's words to then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain: "You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour and you will have war." He then asked Valtonen: "President Trump has put a bust of Churchill back in the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?" This pointed question added fuel to the controversy surrounding his dismissal.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated in a statement that Goff's remarks were "deeply disappointing." He added: "These comments do not represent the views of the New Zealand government and have made his position as High Commissioner in London untenable." Bede Corry, the top official at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is working with Goff to facilitate the transition to a new ambassador, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Goff, a veteran politician from the center-left Labour Party who previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Member of Parliament, was appointed as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 2023. Peters leads the New Zealand First Party, which is part of the current right-leaning coalition governing New Zealand. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has publicly condemned Goff's dismissal, calling it a "very flimsy excuse" to remove a "highly respected" former Foreign Minister from a diplomatic post, highlighting the political divisions surrounding the decision.