UK envoy says US special relationship is with Israel

According to BBC News - Politics, Sir Christian Turner described the deep history and affinity between the US and UK, especially on security and defence, and noted that there are things the two countries do together that no other pair of nations do. The remarks were first reported by the Financial Times during King Charles III's state visit to the US. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the ambassador's private, informal comments were not a reflection of the government's position.

According to BBC News - Politics, Sir Christian Turner also advised the prime minister that he cannot simply assert the relationship is special and assume it will be fine. It is not known what specific questions from students prompted the remarks, nor whether the US government has responded.

My advice to my prime minister is 'I can't just put my hands on my ears and say it's special, it's going to be fine'.
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
Addressing a group of sixth-form students about the transatlantic relationship in February.

Special relationship is a phrase I try not to utter because it's quite nostalgic, it's quite backwards-looking, and it has a lot of sort of baggage about it.
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
In a leaked audio recording of his meeting with sixth-form students.

I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States, and that is probably Israel.
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
In a leaked audio recording of his meeting with sixth-form students.

There are things we do together that no two other countries do.
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
Referring to US-UK cooperation on security and defence.

I think we're certainly at the end of an era and the era is changing.
Sir Christian Turner, UK Ambassador to the US
Commenting on the state of the US-UK relationship.