New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has dismissed the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff, after he made remarks perceived as critical of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Goff reportedly made the comments during a forum in London on Tuesday, questioning Trump’s understanding of history.
The ambassador contrasted Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Russia with former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s leadership during World War II.
“President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?” Goff asked during a panel discussion with Finland’s Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen.
In a statement on Thursday, Peters condemned Goff’s remarks, describing them as “deeply disappointing.”
“They do not represent the views of the New Zealand Government and make his position as High Commissioner to London untenable,” Peters stated.
Goff, a former foreign minister and Labour Party lawmaker, was appointed ambassador to the UK in 2023.