WASHINGTON – The United States’ ambassador to the United Kingdom, Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV, told several colleagues at the United States embassy in London that President Donald Trump had asked him to see if the British government could help the British Open to play on his Turnberry golf Of course, in Scotland, a former State Department official with first-hand knowledge told NBC News.
The former official said the ambassador’s deputy twice told him not to make the request because it would be unethical, but that Johnson raised the issue with the British official in charge of Scotland during a 2018 meeting anyway. The former official added that it was a waste of political capital because the British government has “zero influence” where the tournament is played, a decision that rests with the British equivalent of the PGA.
The British golf association had already decided not to host a tournament on Trump’s property due to security and political concerns, said the former diplomat on the matter, who was first informed by The New York Times.
A British official told the Times that the ambassador “did not make any requests” regarding the British Open. The former US official said there was no formal “request”: that Johnson was “floating the idea” at the president’s urging.
“The former Scottish Secretary of State had an introductory meeting with the United States Ambassador in early 2018,” the Scottish UK Office said in a statement. “A number of issues were discussed that reflect the close cultural and economic ties between Scotland and the UNITED STATES. Mr. Johnson did not make any requests … regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.”
A White House official told NBC News that the president “has never” spoken to Johnson about such a request.
Trump repeatedly promoted his two golf properties in Scotland and one in Ireland for tournaments before being elected to the presidency.
The United States Army spent nearly $ 200,000 on the Trump Turnberry from 2017-2019, according to documents the Pentagon sent to Congress. Vice President Mike Pence stayed at Trump Golf Club in Doonbeg, Ireland, for a taxpayer-funded official visit in September, rather than in Dublin, where his meetings were scheduled.
The United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom is usually a political representative with commercial ties. Johnson, the billionaire owner of the New York Jets football team and scion of the Johnson & Johnson family, donated $ 1 million to Trump’s inauguration eight months before he was nominated for the diplomatic post in 2017.
The State Department backed the ambassador without directly addressing the charge. “Ambassador Johnson is a valued team member who has led Mission UK in an honorable and professional manner. We support Ambassador Johnson and look forward to his continued effort to ensure that our special relationship with the UK is strong.”
The State Department’s Office of Inspector General began formally investigating the allegations in October, after a routine inspection visit to the embassy. The report was completed and marked as classified as of May; An unrated version has not yet been released.
Johnson did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News, but the ambassador did send an email from the entire mission after reports that the inspector general’s report also investigated allegations that Johnson made sexist and racist comments to his staff.
“I wanted to share with you the honor it is for me to serve as the ambassador of the United States and, most importantly, to lead the talented and diverse team of the United States Mission in the United Kingdom,” Johnson wrote Tuesday in the letter obtained by NBC News. “Please note that I am absolutely committed to a workplace that is free from discrimination and where every team member can thrive.”
A diversity and inclusion task force was recently formed in the United States’ mission to the United Kingdom, and Johnson also told employees that promoting diversity and inclusion at the United States Embassy “is and will continue to be a of my top priorities. “
Inspector General Steve Linick was removed from office in May after investigating a Saudi arms deal and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s use of department employees for personal errands, among other investigations. His replacement, Stephen J. Akard, reports directly to Assistant Secretary for Management Brian Bulatao.
Linick told lawmakers in closed-door testimony last month that Bulatao, Pompeo’s old friend and confidante, had discouraged the Saudi investigation, saying “we shouldn’t be doing the job because it was a political issue that was not within the jurisdiction of the IG “.
Kristen Welker contributed
