Joe Biden has done Britain a “bad turn” by blocking Ben Wallace’s run for NATO chief, government sources have said,
The Telegraph reports.
The Defence Secretary had been the favourite with many member states to succeed Jens Stoltenberg, the current secretary-general, later this year.
But Mr Wallace admitted on Wednesday that his ambition to take over the reins, which he had repeatedly expressed in public, is now “not going to happen”.
Allies of Mr Wallace have since told The Telegraph they believe his ambitions were thwarted after the US president refused to endorse his attempt to become the military alliance’s next secretary-general.
Government sources have suggested there are now fears the snub may damage the special relationship.
It now seems likely that Mr Stoltenberg, the former Norwegian premier, will be asked to defer his retirement, originally set for later this year, by 12 months.
A government source said: “We’re supposed to be their closest ally. And this is what we get.
“It is what it is … but it is bad for UK-US relations.
“They’ve done the UK a bad turn with their preference for this Danish lady.”
