New Zealand’s most senior diplomat to Britain was fired because President Donald Trump appears to be questioning his understanding of history and his treatment of Russia. The incident took place during an event hosted by London think tank Chatham House.
Phil Goff, who served as New Zealand’s British High Commissioner, appears to have tried to clarify the contrast between Winston Churchill’s handling of Nazi Germany and Trump’s approach to Russia.
British High Commissioner for New Zealand, Phil Goff, will speak at Anzac Day, held at Westminster Abbey, London on April 25th, 2024. (Reuters/Belinda Zhao/Pool/File Photo)
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New Zealand officials said they had reread the famous Churchill speech since 1938. British leaders blasted the decision of then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to sign the Munich agreement with Adolf Hitler.
“President Trump has restored Churchill’s bust to an oval office. But do you think he really understands history?”
Valttonn seemed uncomfortable with the question and said she would “limit” herself with her response. Rather than say anything about Trump, Finnish officials said many of Churchill’s comments were “timeless.”
From left: Ukrainian President Voldy Mee Zelensky, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance will meet on February 28th at the White House Oval Office in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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When speaking to the media, the New Zealand Foreign Minister fired Goff, calling the diplomat’s question “deeply disappointed.” He also said it “has become his position as London’s High Commissioner.”
Peters called Goff fired the “most difficult” thing he had to do in his career. He also said that if the former High Commissioner issued a statement about another country, he was “forced to act.”
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters will attend a press conference following his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on February 26th. (Reuters/Raoli Chen/Pool)
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“When you are in that position, you represent the government’s views and the policies of the day – you cannot think freely, you are the face of New Zealand,” Peters told the press on Thursday.
Goff had a renowned political career, serving as the Foreign Minister, the Labour leader and mayor of Auckland. He was appointed to the position of the UK High Commissioner in 2022.
