U.K. says leaks of memos from its ambassador about Trump administration 'unacceptable'

The U.K. government said Mondayleaks of memos in which its ambassador to the U.S. described President Donald Trump's administration as "dysfunctional" were a matter of regret, and promised to investigate.

The memos from Kim Darroch, the ambassador to Washington,were leaked to a Sunday newspaper, annoying Trump and triggeringdemands on the U.K. side to find out who had disclosed them.

"Contact has been made with the Trump administration settingout our view that we believe the leak isunacceptable. It is, ofcourse, a matter of regret that this has happened," aspokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May told reporters.

Trump tweeted later on Monday that he "will no longer deal" with Darroch. "I do not know the Ambassador, but he is not liked or well thought of within the U.S.," Trump said in a pair of tweets that also took aim at how May handled Brexit.

"The good news for the wonderful United Kingdom is that they will soon have a new Prime Minister."

The leaked cables were intended for senior U.K. ministers and civil servants, and officials believe the mole will be found amongpoliticians or officials from Britain, rather than overseas.

"I've seen nothing to suggest hostile state actors were involved," said May's spokesperson, James Slack.

The inquiry is being led by civil servants in the Cabinet Office, and Slack said police would only be called in "if evidence of criminality is found."

It's possible the person behind the leakcould be charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act, which bars public servants from making "damaging" disclosures of classified material. Breaching the act carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, though prosecutions are rare.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told reporters Monday he did not share the ambassador'sassessment of either the U.S. administration or relations with it, but defended Darroch's"rightto make thatfrank assessment," saying the ability to communicate frankly was "fundamental" to diplomacy.

He promised there would be"very serious consequences" if the culprit getscaught.

'Full faith' in diplomat

Slack said May had "full faith" in Darroch, a long-serving diplomat, although she too didn't agree with his characterization of the Trump administration.

He said ambassadors were hired to provide "honest, unvarnished assessments" of politics in the countries where they served, which didn't necessarily reflect the views of the government.

U.K. Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who is on a visit to Washington,told BBC Radio he would apologize for the leak toIvanka Trump, the president's daughter. Fox isdue to meet her during his trip.

"I will be apologizing for the fact that either our civilservice or elements of our political class have not lived up to the expectations that either we have or the United States hasabout their behaviour, which in this particular case has lapsed in a most extraordinary and unacceptable way," Foxsaid.

"Malicious leaks of this nature ... can actually lead to adamage to that relationship, which can therefore affect our wider security interest."

The revelations come at a time when the U.K.is hoping tostrike a major trade deal with its closest ally after it leaves the European Union, an exitscheduled for Oct. 31.

Trump told reporters, of Darroch: "We are not big fans ofthat man and he has not served the U.K. well, so I can understandand I can say things about him, but I won't bother."

'Clumsy and inept'

In memos to his government dating from 2017 to the present,Darroch said reports of in-fighting in the White House were"mostly true," and last month described confusion within theadministration over Trump's decision to call off a military strike on Iran.

"We don't really believe this administration is going to become substantially more normal; less dysfunctional; less unpredictable; less faction riven; less diplomatically clumsyand inept," Darroch wrote in one memo.

Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party and long a thorn inthe side of British governments, said figures such as Darroch would "not be around" if ex-foreign minister Boris Johnson,one of two candidates seeking to replaceMay as prime minister, was chosen by Conservative Party members.

Despite being close to Trump, Farage ruled himself out ofbecoming Britain's next ambassador in Washington.

"I don't think I'm the right man for that job," Faragetold BBC Radio.

It's thesecond serious disclosure of confidential material this year.

Two months ago, May fired Gavin Williamson as defence minister after secret discussions in the National Security Council aboutChinese telecom firm Huawei were leaked to the media, and aninquiry concludedhe was responsible.

Williamson denied any involvement and police said there wasno reason for a criminal investigation.