Germany has asked the US to clarify the latest inflammatory statement made by its new ambassador to Berlin, after Richard Grenell said he was planning to “empower” conservative political movements across Europe.
Mr Grenell, a Donald Trump loyalist who took up his post as ambassador to Germany less than a month ago, told the rightwing US website Breitbart: “There are a lot of conservatives throughout Europe who have contacted me to say they are feeling there is a resurgence going on.”
In remarks that seemed to be starkly at odds with diplomatic custom, the ambassador added: “I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders. I think there is a groundswell of conservative policies that are taking hold because of the failed policies of the left.”