Donald Trump and Boris Johnson’s actions over the ambassador leak are a warning to all diplomats

Analysis: US president has opened the door to ambassadors and envoys from around the world facing public criticism from anyone they annoy while doing their jobs

The leak of memos by the UK ambassador to Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, and his unvarnished opinions and analysis about Donald Trump‘s administration is something that all diplomats will have in their mind, mostly thanks to WikiLeaks.

In 2011, the release of diplomatic cables by the group led to the resignation of the US ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, after he had questioned the country’s willingness and capability to tackle drugs cartels, and Heather Hodges, the US ambassador to Ecuador, being declared persona non grata after a cable spoke about alleged corruption in the national police force.

It is always a risk, especially in the wake of that document dump, but it is the reaction to the latest leak that will have sent shivers down the collective spines of Washington’s diplomatic corps.