'Our man' in US will be Lady Scotland

December 8, 2008

From:thedominican.net |Thompson Fontaine| |By Ian Kirby - News of the World

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The News of the World has learned Baroness Scotland will move to Washington to take over the prized diplomatic post in the new year.

She will replace Sir Nigel Sheinwald, who infuriated Obama with a leaked letter to Downing Street in which he CRITICISED the President-elect and warned of a likely clash of views with the UK over Iran.

Diplomats are unsure how Britain’s “special relationship” will develop under the new President and fear he may want to distance himself from a country which heavily supported George Bush.

Sir Nigel, 55, was one of ex-premier Tony Blair’s leading advisers and unlike the 45-year-old baroness, was never close to Mr Brown. A Downing Street source told us: “Gordon believes Patricia Scotland is one of the safest pairs of hands in government.

“She has excelled at every job she has done and will be his vital eyes and ears in Washington.”

The baroness, born in Dominica, moved with her family to London when she was three.

At school she was told the most she could hope for was to become a supervisor at Sainsbury’s.

Yet she was the first black woman to become a QC—and her appointment last year as chief legal adviser to the government was hailed as an historic breakthrough for women and ethnic minorities.