New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the UK, Phil Goff, has been dismissed following remarks he made about former US President Donald Trump.
Goff, a former Labour politician, questioned Trump’s understanding of history during a discussion at Chatham House. He referenced Trump’s decision to reinstate a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the Oval Office, highlighting that Churchill had strongly opposed appeasement—an apparent contrast to some of Trump’s foreign policy stances.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that Goff’s comments were “untenable” and did not reflect the official position of the New Zealand government. As a result, he was removed from his diplomatic role.
The decision has sparked criticism, with former Prime Minister Helen Clark defending Goff as a “highly respected” figure. His dismissal has raised questions about diplomatic neutrality and how envoys navigate political discussions involving world leaders.