Nigel Sheinwald
Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald | |
|---|---|
| 49th British Ambassador to the United States | |
| Assumed office 2007 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | David Manning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 26, 1953 London, England |
| Spouse | Dr. Julia Dunne |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence | Washington D.C. |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Occupation | British Ambassador, Diplomat |
| Profession | Diplomat |
| Website | "UK in the USA-British Embassy in the United States"[5] |
Sir Nigel Elton Sheinwald, KCMG (born June 26,1953 in London, England) is the current British Ambassador to the United States of America, appointed in October 2007. He is married to Dr. Julia Dunne, her British title is Lady Sheinwald, she is employed in the United States Federal Food and Drug Administration in the FDA's office of pediatric therapeutics; the Oxford-trained physician specializes in testing and regulation of children's medicine.[1] The couple have been married since 1980 and have three sons.[2]
Career
His career in diplomatic service began in 1976.
Based in London, he worked on Japan from 1976-1977 and Zimbabwe from 1979-1981, during which time he was closely involved in the Lancaster House Negotiations.
Sheinwald worked in Moscow in 1978, and was later named head of the (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) FCO Anglo-Soviet Section from 1981-1983.
From 1983-1987, he worked in the political section of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
He was deputy head of the FCO’s European Union (Internal) Policy Planning Staff Department from 1987-1992,responsible for transatlantic relations issues, among other matters.
He served as head of the U.K. Representations Political and Institutional Section in Brussels from 1993-1995.
He was the Europe director in the FCO(Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (1998-2000).
From 2000-2003, Sheinwald was the U.K. ambassador and permanent representative to the European Union in Brussels.
Sheinwald served as Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair and followed the same pattern as his immediate predecessor David Manning in moving from the Downing Street role straight to Washington D.C..
He was named British Ambassador to the United States of America in October 2007 and is based in Washington D.C..
Controversial Memo Leak About Barack Obama
Sir Nigel Sheinwald wrote a memo to the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown detailing his many observations and critical analysis of US Senator Barack Obama, in part the comments state: "If Obama wins, we will need to consider with him the articulation between (a) his desire for 'unconditional' dialogue with Iran and (b) our and the United Nations Security Council's requirement of prior suspension of enrichment before the nuclear negotiations proper can begin,"[3] [4]
In the aftermath, the British Prime Minister's Downing Street office attempted to downplay the incident in spite of the very controversial statements contained in the memo, and the fact that the details of the memo were leaked during the final weeks of the 2008 U.S. presidential election, an election where Senator Obama is the Democrat party's front-runner nominee for President. Further complicating the matter, there also was an additional sensitive memo written by British Ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Sherard Cowper Coles that was leaked on the same day detailing bleak assessment of the seven-year Nato campaign in Afghanistan in a briefing with a French diplomat. [5]
Car Crash and Departure from Moscow
The Guardian UK described an incident where Sheinwald was the driver in a fatal car accident that killed a Russian citizen, The Guardian states: "Among his postings was Moscow, which he had to leave in a hurry after his car, which he was driving, hit and killed a Russian." [6]
Education
He was educated at Harrow County School for Boys and Balliol College, Oxford.
References
- ^ Washington Post "The British Ambassador's Wife, Pulling Double Duty" [1]
- ^ The Guardian UK"He is a bully ... but he is OK if you stand up to him, and people who work with him like him Tony Blair's foreign policy adviser has a formidable task in the Middle East"[2]
- ^ Times Online"British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald called Barack Obama 'liberal'"[3]
- ^ Telegraph"Exclusive Barack Obama is aloof says British ambassador to US"[ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/3125120/Exclusive-Barack-Obama-is-aloof-says-British-ambassador-to-US.html
- ^ Times Online"British envoy says mission in Afghanistan is doomed, according to leaked memo"[4]
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/nov/03/uk.syria
External links
- Telegraph"Exclusive-Barack-Obama-is-aloof-says-Brit ish-ambassador-to-US"[6]
- The Guardian, November 3, 2006
- The Times, April 6, 2007
- The Daily Telegraph [7]
- Times Online "British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald called Barack Obama 'liberal'"[8]
- Los Angeles Times "Sir Nigel Sheinwald speaks"[9]
- Washington Post "The British Ambassador's Wife, Pulling Double Duty"[10]