James Roscoe, Deputy British Ambassador to the U.S., Leaves Job Abruptly

Britain’s deputy ambassador to the United States, James Roscoe, has left his job with immediate effect, the British government said on Wednesday without offering any further details.

Although the Foreign Office did not release an immediate statement, Mr. Roscoe’s official biography on a British government website had been updated on Wednesday morning to say that his role as deputy head of mission in Washington ended this month.

Mr. Roscoe’s departure is the latest ruction at the embassy, which was thrust into the spotlight when the former ambassador, Peter Mandelson, was fired last September. Mr. Mandelson was ousted after revelations about the extent of his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr. Roscoe was acting ambassador for several months after Mr. Mandelson lost his job last year, and he was seen as a potential successor. However, the post went to another senior official, Christian Turner.

Mr. Roscoe played a significant role in organizing President Trump’s state visit to Britain last year and in the recent return trip made by King Charles III to the United States.

Before moving to Washington, Mr. Roscoe was Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations General Assembly. Before that, he worked as a communications director for two British government departments and had previously served as communications secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. Earlier in his career, he was a chief press officer in Downing Street under the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.