Starmer sends Peter Mandelson to woo 'bully' Donald Trump: Tony Blair ally and spin doctor confirmed as UK's new ambassador to the US with a mission to defeat trade tariffs

Tony Blair's close ally Peter Mandelson was confirmed as the new British ambassador in the United States - with a mission to charm Donald Trump. Lord Mandelson, the former Cabinet minister nicknamed 'the Prince of Darkness' due to his Machiavellian maneuverings, will be installed in Washington following Mr Trump's inauguration on January 20. Lord Mandelson, the former Cabinet minister and EU commissioner nicknamed 'the Prince of Darkness' due to his Machiavellian maneuverings, will be installed in Washington following Mr Trump's inauguration on January 20. Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time 'nobody has spoken to me about it', the sources had said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump Peter Mandelson receives a Chinese-made T-shirt from Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai at a press conference in 2005 Sir Keir has previously said he believed the Labour politican had the necessary trade expertise and networking abilities to bolster the UK's interests during this delicate period of time. Speaking to the BBC previously, Lord Mandelson said he was 'more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one' with the US Sir Keir yesterday told MPs he wanted to avoid getting sucked into a trade war, adding: 'We have to make sure we avoid tariffs.'