New Zealand High Commissioner in the United Kingdom was dismissed on comments he made about Donald Trump.
Phil Goff, the most senior envoy in New Zealand in Great Britain, questioned the understanding of the American president of history during an event organized by the International Chatham House reflection group in London on Tuesday.
He referred to a famous speech by the British leader in the Sir Winston Churchill war in 1938, in which the future Prime Minister – then deputy for the government of Neville Chamberlain – reprimanded the British signature of the Munich Agreement.
The agreement with Adolf Hitler allowed Germany to annex part of Czechoslovakia.
Mr. Goff quoted Sir Winston telling Mr. Chamberlain: “You had the choice between war and dishonor. You have chosen dishonor, yet you will have war.”
Mr. Goff continued by saying: “President Asset Restored the bust of Churchill at the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands the story? “”
The question was addressed to the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, a guest speaker during the event.
While the public laughed at the question of the New Zealand envoy, Ms. Valtonen said that she “would limit me” to say that Sir Winston had “made very timeless remarks”.
New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters said that journalists’ remarks Mr. Goff were “disappointing” and made the position of “untenable” shipping.
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Mr. Peters added: “When you are in this position, you represent the government and the policies of the day.
“You are unable to think freely, you are the face of New Zealand.
“We asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bede Corry, now working with Mr. Goff the next leadership transition to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London.”
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The officials were “in discussion with the High Commissioner Goff on his return to New Zealand”, according to a written declaration.
Mr. Goff has been the envoy of New Zealand to the United Kingdom since January 2023. He has not responded to a request for comments.
The former Prime Minister of the country, Helen Clark – who was Mr. Goff’s boss during his minister’s time – criticized his dismissal, claiming that the episode was “a very thin excuse” to withdraw a former Minister of Foreign Affairs “very respected” from his diplomatic role.
