06 March 2025 , 16:23
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New Zealand’s foreign minister said the envoy’s position meant he is "not able to free-think" after the diplomat questioned whether Donald Trump understands history - drawing laughs from the audience.
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the UK has been fired over comments he made about Donald Trump.
Phil Goff, New Zealand’s most senior envoy to Britain, questioned the US president’s grasp of history at an event held by the international affairs think tank Chatham House in London on Tuesday.
He referenced a famous speech by British wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill in 1938, in which the future prime minister - then an MP in Neville Chamberlain’s government - rebuked Britain’s signing of the Munich Agreement.
The agreement with Adolf Hitler allowed Germany to annex part of Czechoslovakia.
Mr Goff quoted Sir Winston as saying to Mr Chamberlain: "You had the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, yet you will have war."
Mr Goff went on to say: "President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?"
The question was directed at Finland’s foreign minister Elina Valtonen, a guest speaker at the event.
As the audience laughed at the New Zealand envoy’s question, Ms Valtonen said she would "limit myself" to saying that Sir Winston had "made very timeless remarks".
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters told reporters Mr Goff’s remarks were "disappointing" and made the envoy’s position "untenable".
Mr Peters added: "When you are in that position you represent the government and the policies of the day.
"You’re not able to free-think, you are the face of New Zealand.
"We have asked the secretary of foreign affairs and trade, Bede Corry, to now work through with Mr Goff the upcoming leadership transition at the New Zealand High Commission in London."
Officials were "in discussion with High Commissioner Goff about his return to New Zealand", according to a written statement.
Mr Goff has been New Zealand’s envoy to the UK since January 2023. He has not responded to a request for comment.
The country’s former prime minister, Helen Clark - who was Mr Goff’s boss during his time as a minister - criticised his sacking, saying the episode was "a very thin excuse" for removing a "highly respected" former foreign minister from his diplomatic role.