London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 06, 2026

Britain's former US ambassador was investigated over an affair

Britain's former US ambassador was investigated over an affair

Britain's former ambassador to the United States was investigated over an alleged affair with a journalist, it was claimed last night. Kim Darroch is said to have faced claims of passing White House secrets to former CNN reporter Michelle Kosinski.

The married 66-year-old was later cleared of wrongdoing following a probe by the Department of Justice.Suspicion among US officials was reportedly raised after a series of articles by Miss Kosinski, 46, detailing highly-sensitive information about the Trump administration.


Former British Ambassador Kim Darroch and his wife Vanessa post together in 2018. Darrock was investigated over an alleged affair with a CNN journalist - Michelle Kosinski. He was later cleared of wrongdoing following a probe by the Department of Justice


Lord Darroch was reportedly suspected of tipping off Miss Kosinski about plans to make CIA director Mike Pompeo the Secretary of State, which did later happen.

Miss Kosinski is also said to have learned about Mr Pompeo’s plans for a trip to North Korea to push for the return of three US citizens. No story was reported but the White House became more interested in Miss Kosinski.

She also apparently raised eyebrows when tipped off about US plans for tough sanctions against Russia.

The classified proposals had reportedly been discussed in private with allies in France, Germany and the UK before being announced on April 6.

A source told The Sun that Miss Kosinski ‘knew about these sanctions before they were announced’. She also caused concern after learning about a behind-closed-doors feud between Donald Trump and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.


US officials believed Michelle Kosinski, pictured left with her British husband Kimbell Duncan at the 2015 White House Correspondents Dinner, was being tipped off by Lord Darroch about highly sensitive Trump administration information


Lord Darroch has been married for 42 years and has two grown-up children.

He has vehemently denied any impropriety and suggestions that he leaked the stories. His affair with the journalist allegedly began at the start of 2018.

The Sun said it had seen ‘intimate’ messages between the pair detailing their plans to meet up.

US authorities probed the alleged relationship in detail over fears it could open up Lord Darroch to blackmail by hostile states.

Miss Kosinski, who is also married, left her post at CNN just five months after the envoy left his top job, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Lord Darroch quit his Washington post in July last year after leaked cables revealed he had branded Mr Trump ‘incompetent’.


Lord Darroch quit his Washington post in July last year after leaked cables revealed he had branded Mr Trump ‘incompetent’. Pictured: Donald Trump greets Kim Darroch


He also claimed the President ‘radiates insecurity’, telling British officials that they need to ‘start praising him for something he’s done’ when they meet him.

Officials are likely to be shocked by the allegation one of Britain’s most senior diplomats had an affair with a journalist who could have published material linked to him.

Miss Kosinski was approached for comment last night.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
NHS Maternity Reform Expands Central Oversight After Critical National Review
Dover Border Warnings Highlight Post-Brexit Pressure on Cross-Channel Trade
Private Nuclear Consortium Advances £35 Billion Small Reactor Strategy in UK
UK Labour Leadership Signals Shift Toward Reindustrialisation and Regional Power
House of Lords Debates Rail Nationalisation Bill to Create Great British Railways
Scottish Affairs Committee Expands Inquiry Into SNP Financial Conduct
Evri Launches £1.2 Million Defamation Case Against BBC Over Panorama Investigation
Port of Dover Warns of Border Delays as EU Entry-Exit System Looms
Nigel Farage Referred to Standards Watchdog Over Alleged Undeclared Benefits
UK Government Faces Scrutiny Over Claimed AI Datacentre Investment After FOI Findings
UK and India Finalise Trade Agreement Rules Ahead of Mid-July Implementation
UK Government Establishes National Maternity Commissioner After Major Review of NHS Care Failures
Private Consortium Plans £35 Billion UK Nuclear Programme Targeting Small Modular Reactor Rollout
Andy Burnham Sets Out Ten-Year Reindustrialisation and Devolution Plan as Leadership Transition to UK Premiership Advances
Morocco and France Advance as 2026 FIFA World Cup Enters Quarterfinals.
Historic 2026 Tour de France Opens in Barcelona With Revamped Team Time Trial.
Global Mergers and Acquisitions Approach $4 Trillion Defying Geopolitical Tumult.
Negotiators Advance 20-Point Framework for Gaza Ceasefire and Demilitarization.
OECD Warns Middle East Conflict Will Depress Global Economic Growth.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg.
World Meteorological Organization Issues Urgent Alert Over Rapidly Intensifying El Niño.
United States Commemorates 250th Anniversary With Diplomatic Summits and Global Flotilla.
Iran Begins Days-Long Funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff.
Technology giant reports surging carbon emissions driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demands.
Artificial intelligence adoption accelerates workforce reductions across the technology and financial sectors.
Global technology and financial conglomerates collaborate to launch a new stablecoin standard.
United States regulators lift export restrictions on a major frontier artificial intelligence model.
Royal Society Exhibition Highlights Growing Focus on Public Trust in Science
Energy Costs and Supply Chain Risks Continue to Shape UK Business Strategy
Rapid Rise in Artificial Intelligence Adoption Reshapes UK Corporate Operations, ONS Says
UK Businesses Turn Defensive as Economic Outlook Weakens, Institute of Directors Data Shows
UK Government Faces Criticism Over Late Extension of Pub Hours for England Match
Inquest Continues Into Death of Noah Donohoe as Jury Deliberates Findings
Calls for Stronger Wildlife Attraction Safety Rules After Crocodile Enclosure Injury
City Fire Under Control After Major Blaze Sends Smoke Across Urban Area
Police Investigation Continues After Officer Killed During Road Closure Duties
Blackpool Hotel Fined £120,000 After Electric Shock Incident Involving Child
Whistleblowers Allege Delays in UK Special Educational Needs Support Services
Calls Grow for Improved Support for UK Armed Forces Personnel Facing Health Conditions
Rising UK Energy Price Cap Increase Prompts Wider Concerns Over Household Pressures
UK Businesses Remain Concerned Over Global Conflict Risks to Supply Chains, ONS Finds
Office for National Statistics Reports Rising Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Across UK Businesses
Institute of Directors Reports Deepening Pessimism in UK Business Confidence Index
England Prepare for World Cup Round of 16 Match Against Mexico in Mexico City
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition Concludes in London After Week-Long Showcase of Research
Silverstone Hosts British Grand Prix as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton Lead Home Crowd Expectations
Cornwall Van Dwellers Face Homelessness Risk as Council Tightens Enforcement
Police Investigate Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London
Rare Copy of US Declaration of Independence Discovered in UK Archive
Department for Education Data Shows Persistent Literacy Gap Among Disadvantaged White Pupils
×