In a divided Washington, British ambassador was a bridge

WASHINGTON (AP) — In America’s deeply divided capital city, British Ambassador Kim Darroch was often the bridge.

He had a direct line to President Donald Trump’s top aides, as well as their predecessors from the Obama administration. Both often found themselves mingling at the same lavish parties Darroch hosted at his stately residence in Washington.

Darroch also convened discussions on policy and politics with lawmakers, journalists and think tank scholars, sending dispatches on his conversations across the political spectrum back to London. His private assessments were frank and unfiltered.

Darroch resigned on Wednesday after some of his cables critical of Trump leaked, and the president tweeted that he would no longer deal with the ambassador.