British police launched an investigation Friday into the leak of confidential diplomatic memos that included derogatory statements about President Trump.
News of the investigation comes days after The Daily Mail, a popular British tabloid, published cables from British Ambassador Kim Darroch that included him calling the Trump administration “dysfunctional” and “inept.” He resigned earlier this week.
The investigation is being handled by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. The unit is responsible for investigating leaks of government communications under Britain’s Official Secrets Act.{mosads}
“Turn yourself in at the earliest opportunity, explain yourself and face the consequences,” Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command chief Neil Basu said in a statement.
Trump said earlier this week his administration would cease working with Darroch, calling him “wacky,” “a pompous fool” and a “very stupid guy” after the ambassador’s cables were published Sunday.
While British Prime Minister Theresa May voiced confidence in the ambassador and said he would not be replaced, Darroch wrote on Wednesday in his resignation letter that “the current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.”
“Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador. I want to put an end to that speculation,” wrote Darroch, who had served in the diplomatic post since January 2016.
“Although my posting is not due to end until the end of this year, I believe in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador,” he wrote.
A spokesman for the U.K. Foreign Office said earlier this week that Darroch would stay on until a replacement is found.