US President Joe Biden has been accused of doing Britain a “bad turn” by blocking a UK politician’s bid to be the next NATO chief.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was a strong favourite with many member countries to land the key position.
However, Mr Biden has reportedly refused to endorse him.
Mr Wallace was hoping to succeed Jens Stoltenberg when he steps down later this year as general secretary of the military alliance.
The Telegraph reports the Biden snub could strain the special relationship between America and the UK.
One Government source said:
“We’re supposed to be their closest ally.
“And this is what we get.
“It is what it is … but it is bad for UK-US relations.
“They’ve done the UK a bad turn.”
Given the impasse, it’s thought Mr Stoltenberg, the former Norwegian premier, will be asked to defer his retirement by 12 months.