Give it back to Karen Pierce. She was doing fine and she's still working for the FCDO.
We can now officially start obsessing who will be Britain‘s Next ambassador in DC.
Not exactly an easy job these days.
I don‘t envy him (or her).
Not exactly an easy job these days.
I don‘t envy him (or her).
September 11, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Give it back to Karen Pierce. She was doing fine and she's still working for the FCDO.
BREAKING: British FCDO diplomat Mark Smith resigns from his position with a letter titled "FCDO complicity in War Crimes". He accuses Israel of war crimes & genocidal intent & says there's "no justification for the UK's continued arms sales to Israel"
August 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM
BREAKING: British FCDO diplomat Mark Smith resigns from his position with a letter titled "FCDO complicity in War Crimes". He accuses Israel of war crimes & genocidal intent & says there's "no justification for the UK's continued arms sales to Israel"
Last month I was invited by the FCDO to Chevening House – the house that gave its name to the FCDO Chevening scholarship that brought me to Britain.
The conversation was about women, peace and security: how war reshapes the lives of women and girls.
The conversation was about women, peace and security: how war reshapes the lives of women and girls.
August 7, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Last month I was invited by the FCDO to Chevening House – the house that gave its name to the FCDO Chevening scholarship that brought me to Britain.
The conversation was about women, peace and security: how war reshapes the lives of women and girls.
The conversation was about women, peace and security: how war reshapes the lives of women and girls.
So as a bit of an FCDO website nerd, I can confirm Palestine has been added to the list of countries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Geographical names index
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) current list of approved British English-language names for countries and territories.
www.gov.uk
September 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
So as a bit of an FCDO website nerd, I can confirm Palestine has been added to the list of countries.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Now confirmed
Cooper to FCDO
Mahmood to Home
Lammy to Justice
Cooper to FCDO
Mahmood to Home
Lammy to Justice
September 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Now confirmed
Cooper to FCDO
Mahmood to Home
Lammy to Justice
Cooper to FCDO
Mahmood to Home
Lammy to Justice
I had the opportunity to visit Lancaster House on a private tour organised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the FCDO Chevening Scholarships & Fellowships programme – a rare chance to see a place not open to the public. Very grateful for this experience.
December 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I had the opportunity to visit Lancaster House on a private tour organised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the FCDO Chevening Scholarships & Fellowships programme – a rare chance to see a place not open to the public. Very grateful for this experience.
Cooper to FCDO?!
September 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Cooper to FCDO?!
Also the first time the three great offices of state (FCDO, Home, CX) have all been held by women at the same time.
September 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Also the first time the three great offices of state (FCDO, Home, CX) have all been held by women at the same time.
Was waiting for the chancellor to depart and then Larry came out to say hi. He sauntered off to the FCDO but did come back to get pre lunch appetiser.
May 21, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Was waiting for the chancellor to depart and then Larry came out to say hi. He sauntered off to the FCDO but did come back to get pre lunch appetiser.
The easing of sanctions is turning quite into a public image disaster for the UK government.
Others will have to judge the technicalities, but this looks like the FCDO is already trying to row back.
Others will have to judge the technicalities, but this looks like the FCDO is already trying to row back.
May 20, 2026 at 11:23 AM
The easing of sanctions is turning quite into a public image disaster for the UK government.
Others will have to judge the technicalities, but this looks like the FCDO is already trying to row back.
Others will have to judge the technicalities, but this looks like the FCDO is already trying to row back.
This the key point. If FCDO did overturn the vetting without telling anyone it was because it had already been announced. Which was a ridiculous thing to do.
I’ve no brief for Olly R but the time line is crazy:
He’s appointed 8 Jan 25.
Mandy announcement had already been made 20 Dec 24 in advance of vetting.
Trump inauguration was 20 Jan.
So we’re basically talking about Robbins’ first 12 days.
He’s appointed 8 Jan 25.
Mandy announcement had already been made 20 Dec 24 in advance of vetting.
Trump inauguration was 20 Jan.
So we’re basically talking about Robbins’ first 12 days.
April 17, 2026 at 6:44 AM
This the key point. If FCDO did overturn the vetting without telling anyone it was because it had already been announced. Which was a ridiculous thing to do.
⚠️ UK embassy staff have been “temporarily withdrawn” from Iran.
Iran travel advice
FCDO travel advice for Iran. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
www.gov.uk
February 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM
⚠️ UK embassy staff have been “temporarily withdrawn” from Iran.
Larry brought a mouse to us today upon his return from the FCDO. ive managed to find a less gruesome pic to post (slightly different to the twitter one). showing us all that despite being 19, he is still quite capable of doing his job. RIP mouse.
July 21, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Larry brought a mouse to us today upon his return from the FCDO. ive managed to find a less gruesome pic to post (slightly different to the twitter one). showing us all that despite being 19, he is still quite capable of doing his job. RIP mouse.
The Prime Minister, No10 and FCDO have some very big questions to answer.
April 16, 2026 at 9:05 PM
The Prime Minister, No10 and FCDO have some very big questions to answer.
Trafalgar Square, London.
Ukrainian FCDO Chevening scholars.
Thank you to everyone who was there to show support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Ukrainian FCDO Chevening scholars.
Thank you to everyone who was there to show support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
February 25, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Trafalgar Square, London.
Ukrainian FCDO Chevening scholars.
Thank you to everyone who was there to show support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Ukrainian FCDO Chevening scholars.
Thank you to everyone who was there to show support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
October 2, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This is part of a bigger story that hasn't had much coverage about the FCDO being cut to ribbons.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:24 PM
This is part of a bigger story that hasn't had much coverage about the FCDO being cut to ribbons.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
Development funding has been slashed but foreign office staff are also being reduced by 20-30%.
"No pressure existed whatsoever" on the FCDO to appoint Mandelson, Keir Starmer tells the House of the Commons. And that, I think, is gonna be a big big hostage to fortune.
April 22, 2026 at 11:11 AM
"No pressure existed whatsoever" on the FCDO to appoint Mandelson, Keir Starmer tells the House of the Commons. And that, I think, is gonna be a big big hostage to fortune.
Allegation that Morgan McSweeney phoned previous FCDO Perm Sec Sir Phillip Barton, and told him "just fucking approve it" re: Mandelson's vetting ..!
April 21, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Allegation that Morgan McSweeney phoned previous FCDO Perm Sec Sir Phillip Barton, and told him "just fucking approve it" re: Mandelson's vetting ..!
SOS! The crew on 'Handala' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Chloe Ludden is a UK citizen.
E/Tag the FCDO NOW:
Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
X: @FCDOGovUK and @DavidLammy
Instagram: @foreignanddevelopmentoffice and @david.lammy
Facebook: @Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Chloe Ludden is a UK citizen.
E/Tag the FCDO NOW:
Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
X: @FCDOGovUK and @DavidLammy
Instagram: @foreignanddevelopmentoffice and @david.lammy
Facebook: @Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
July 26, 2025 at 11:03 PM
SOS! The crew on 'Handala' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Chloe Ludden is a UK citizen.
E/Tag the FCDO NOW:
Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
X: @FCDOGovUK and @DavidLammy
Instagram: @foreignanddevelopmentoffice and @david.lammy
Facebook: @Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Chloe Ludden is a UK citizen.
E/Tag the FCDO NOW:
Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
X: @FCDOGovUK and @DavidLammy
Instagram: @foreignanddevelopmentoffice and @david.lammy
Facebook: @Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
UK FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and Palestine.
February 27, 2026 at 4:57 PM
UK FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and Palestine.
It will be quite funny if Pierce ends up as Robbins' replacement as FCDO perm sec after all this (she's an obvious candidate).
could we maybe get a GoFundMe going to buy Karen Pierce one Really Big Drink
April 28, 2026 at 11:09 AM
It will be quite funny if Pierce ends up as Robbins' replacement as FCDO perm sec after all this (she's an obvious candidate).
Funding defence with the money that the Home Office is allegedly going to return to FCDO any decade now. Not a serious government.
Starmer planning big cuts to UK aid budget to boost defence spending, say sources
Starmer planning big cuts to UK aid budget to boost defence spending, say sources
Exclusive: PM expected to confirm boost in military spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2030
* UK politics live – latest updates
Keir Starmer is planning drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a boost to defence spending,…
www.theguardian.com
February 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Funding defence with the money that the Home Office is allegedly going to return to FCDO any decade now. Not a serious government.
Outside the FCDO (Foreign Office) today in London protesting against David Lammy's support for genocide
July 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Outside the FCDO (Foreign Office) today in London protesting against David Lammy's support for genocide