BRITAIN'S ambassador to the US Sir Kim Darroch has sensationally quit today after being embroiled in a Donald Trump leak storm - and the cops have been called in too.

The US president launched a scathing attack yesterday branding the ambassador "wacky" after a series of damning indictments were leaked from secret cables over two years.

7 Britain's ambassador to Washington Sir Kim Darroch has quit over the Donald Trump leak storm

7 Sir Kim shakes Trump's hand before the damning leaks were exposed Credit: Twitter

Sir Kim said it had become "impossible" for him to carry out his £185,000 a year role after it emerged he dubbed the White House "uniquely dysfunctional" and said Trump "radiates insecurity".

Tonight top civil servants revealed that the police have been called in to investigate the leaks which prompted him to quit.

If there's a criminal case to answer then evidence will be handed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

But critics blamed Boris Johnson for failing to back Sir Kim in last night's telly debate.

BoJo repeatedly refused to get involved in the row and say whether he would keep Sir Kim in post if he makes it to No10.

The ambassador - who will stay in post until his successor is appointed - also branded the president "inept" - causing Trump to fire back in a series of blistering tweets calling him a "pompous fool".

In a letter to Sir Simon McDonald, the permanent under secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Kim wrote: "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.

"I am grateful to all those in the UK and the US, who have offered their support during this difficult few days. This has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries. I have been deeply touched.

"I am also grateful to all those with whom I have worked over the last four decades, particularly my team here in the US. The professionalism and integrity of the British civil service is the envy of the world. I will leave it full of confidence that its values remain in safe hands."

A spokesman for the Prime Minister confirmed today that there had been some "initial discussions" between Government and the police regarding the Whitehall investigation into the leak of Sir Kim's dispatches.

Sir Kim Darroch's alleged leaked memos "As seen from here, we really don't believe that this Administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional, less unpredictable, less faction-riven, less diplomatically clumsy and inept."

"I don't think this Administration will ever look competent."

"For a man who has risen to the highest office on the planet, President Trump radiates insecurity."

"His team were also dazzled, telling us that this had been a visit like no other - the hottest ticket of their careers. These are close contacts, with whom we have spent years building relationships: they are the gate keepers and the "Trump Whisperers" - the individuals we rely upon to ensure the UK voice is being heard in the West Wing.

(Talking about Iran airstrikes) "It's more likely that he was never fully on board and that he was worried about how this apparent reversal of his 2016 campaign promises would look come 2020"

"The worst cannot be ruled out" (Collusion between Trump and Russia)

"It's important to 'flood the zone': you want as many as possible of those who Trump consults to give him the same answer. So we need to be creative in using all the channels available to us through our relationships with his Cabinet, the White House staff, and our contacts among his outside friends."

"Of the main campaign promises, not an inch of the Wall has been built; the executive orders on travel bans from Muslim countries have been blocked by the state courts; tax reform and the infrastructure package have been pushed into the middle distance; and the repeal and replacement of Obamacare is on a knife edge."

Ex-Chancellor George Osborne's former chief of staff suggested his old boss could be in line for the role earlier.

Rupert Harrison tweeted: "UK ambassador to the US and managing director of the IMF are both jobs that are based in Washington DC. Just sayin..."

He later insisted he was joking.

Mr Osborne is also thought to be considering putting himself forward to run the International Monetary Fund.

The bookies' favourite is Sir Kim's deputy Michael Tatham, followed by Brexit Party boss Nigel Farage.

BOJO 'THREW HIM UNDER BUS'

Friends say Sir Kim decided the game was up last night after watching Boris Johnson refuse to back him during live TV debate last night.

The Tory leadership candidate refused several times to say he would keep Sir Kim in his post if he became prime minister.

However, The Sun later revealed that he'd made up his mind to quit way before the debate happened - and Boris rang him to express his regret over the saga earlier today.

After he quit Boris publicly softened his language this afternoon and lavished praise on him.

He said on the campaign trial that he was a "super diplomat" and it was "wrong to drag civil servants into the political arena".

However, he still didn't say he would have kept him if he became PM.

Boris added: "I think whoever did it should be run down, caught and eviscerated, quite frankly. It’s not right that advice to ministers, civil servants must be able to make in the spirit of freedom, should be leaked."

MPs have now come forward to support Sir Kim - including Theresa May, who said it is a "matter of deep regret" that Sir Kim felt it necessary to stand down.

It is understood the PM did not want him to resign and had urged him to stay - but he made it clear to her his mind was made up as he thought his position had become untenable following Trump's decisions to bar him from attending key events and working together.

She even sent a written note supporting him this week, her spokesperson said earlier.

'SERVED HIS COUNTRY FOR 42 YEARS'

Foreign Secretary and leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt, who had stood by Sir Kim, said he was "deeply saddened" by his decision.

In a statement, he added: "For 42 years, Sir Kim served his country with the utmost dedication and distinction.

"I profoundly regret how this episode has led Sir Kim to decide to resign. He deserves to look back upon his career as a servant of Britain with the greatest satisfaction and pride."

Mr McDonald said this lunchtime that it was the first time a friendly government has refused to deal with a British envoy - after Donald Trump said he'd no longer work with the ambassador following the leaks.

He told MPs this afternoon: "It was his judgement that as long as he remained in Washington he would remain a target and his family with him ...Nothing like this has ever happened before."

And he tore into whoever leaked the information, insisting: "There must be consequences.

"The leaker is guilty of the worst breach of trust in our service in my career."

His family could even be a "target" along as him, he revealed.

'Livid' Sir Alan Duncan slams Boris Johnson over Sir Kim Darroch for 'throwing him under the bus'

More bombshell leaks on the way says top diplomat By Martin Beckford, Whitehall Editor BRITAIN’S top diplomat has admitted he is “bracing himself” for more explosive leaked cables, as he revealed that police have been called in. Sir Simon McDonald told MPs he fears there may be more damaging material to come from the mole, who he blamed for the worst betrayal he had ever known. But he told “shaken” Foreign Office staff in a mass meeting yesterday [wed] they must continue to write their “unvarnished” views in messages to ministers. Sir Simon, head of the Diplomatic Service, told the Foreign Affairs Committee that in his 37-year career he had never known the head of a friendly state to refuse to deal with a UK envoy, as Donald Trump had done after leaked cables showed that Washington ambassador Sir Kim Darroch had called the White House “inept”. Sir Simon said: “This is, as everyone is agreeing, unprecedented but we will find a way through because we must.” He admitted there would be “consequences” for the UK’s relationship with the US and he has already had a “free and frank” discussion with a top official at the US Embassy. And asked about claims further sensitive British diplomatic cables could be made public, he confessed: “I'm bracing myself. I fear there may be more.” But Sir Simon vowed: “We will pursue the culprit with all means at our disposal, because it is very important that the person is caught. “The leaker is guilty of the worst breach of trust in our service in my career.” Asked what punishment they faced, he said: “There are a range of sanctions up to and including summary dismissal. “If it is a criminal case, well then it will be turned over to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The police are involved.” He told how and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had spoken to Sir Kim early this morning and tried to persuade him to stay on. But the ambassador had made his mind up because of the fear he and his family would be a “target” in Washington, and that the embassy could not function after he was frozen out by the President. Last night Scotland Yard said: “We can confirm the Metropolitan Police Service has received a request from Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee requesting an investigation into an apparent leak of confidential information. “It has been confirmed that there will be a cross-government investigation led by the Cabinet Office and at this stage the MPS has received no referral of allegations in relation to the Official Secrets Act from the Government concerning the alleged leak. “Such a referral is required for us to open the Gateway Process – which is the agreed mechanism for the police to assess the information available and decide whether to conduct a criminal investigation into offences committed under the Official Secrets Act.

Several MPs have now blamed Boris for the decision to step down.

Chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat tweeted: "Leaders stand up for their men. They encourage them to try and defend them when they fail."

Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said on Twitter: "The shameful forcing out of Kim Darroch after Johnson failed to back him shows Johnson as PM would be nothing more than Trump's lap dog.

"What a humiliating prospect for our United Kingdom."

Tory MP Alan Duncan said Johnson “threw our top diplomat under the bus”.

Lib Dem leadership candidate Ed Davey MP commented: "Under Johnson, an Ambassador will have to be a dishonest poodle sent abroad to be bullied for his country.

"It is unacceptable that a senior civil servant has been forced out in such a highly politicised manner, for the crime of doing his job."

Independent MP Nick Boles said he "made his resignation inevitable".

But Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, a friend of Mr Trump, said it was "the right decision".

Writing on Twitter, he said it was "time put in a non-Remainer who wants a trade deal with America" in the top diplomatic role.

Leaders stand up for their men. They encourage them to try and defend them when they fail. — Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) July 10, 2019

Very sorry to hear Ambassador @KimDarroch has resigned. He has an exemplary record of public service, and should not have been put in this position by the deeply irresponsible actions of whoever leaked official documentation. — Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 10, 2019

Boris Johnson isn’t even PM yet and he is already responsible for a grievous blow to the UK’s international reputation. By refusing to back Kim Darroch in the face of bullying by President Trump, he made his resignation inevitable. — Nick Boles (@NickBoles) July 10, 2019

7 Boris said earlier today that he regretted that Sir Kim had resigned Credit: Reuters

7 He had a pint with Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin earlier today Credit: Reuters

Theresa May's statement to the Commons THE PM told the House of Commons: "This morning I have spoken to Sir Kim Darroch. "I have told him that it is a matter of great regret that he has felt it necessary to leave his position as ambassador in Washington. "The whole Cabinet rightly gave its full support to Sir Kim on Tuesday. Sir Kim has given a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. "Good government depends on public servants being able to give full and frank advice. "I want all our public servants to have the confidence to be able to do that and I hope the House will reflect on the importance of defending our values and principles, particularly when they are under pressure."

Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to Sir Kim at Prime Minister's Questions and described the criticism hurled at the outgoing ambassador "unfair and wrong".

On Monday, President Trump refused to continue to working with Sir Kim in a major blow to the ambassador.

Sidelining Sir Kim so publicly effectively rendered him a lame duck ambassador - ignored by the very people he's supposed to be working with.

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Trump yesterday exploded at Sir Kim and Theresa May as he attacked her "foolish" Brexit plans as a "disaster".

He tweeted: "The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy.

"He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled.

"I told @ theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster!

"I don’t know the Ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool. Tell him the USA now has the best Economy & Military anywhere in the World, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger.....Thank you, Mr. President!"

7 Donald Trump's fresh Twitter blast at the PM

7 Memos from the UK ambassador to Washington - Sir Kim Darroch - were leaked Credit: PA:Press Association

7 Donald Trump has also attacked Theresa May on Twitter as 'foolish' over Brexit Credit: EPA

Sir Kim Darroch said that Donald Trump was 'unpredictable, politically clumsy and inept'​ in leaked memo​

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