New Zealand has dismissed its top representative in the United Kingdom following comments that challenged US President Donald Trump’s understanding of history.
During an event in London on Tuesday, High Commissioner to the UK Phil Goff likened the quest for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the Munich Agreement of 1938, which enabled Adolf Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia.
Goff referenced Sir Winston Churchill’s criticism of the agreement and remarked about the US President, saying: “President Trump has reinstated the bust of Churchill in the Oval Office. But does he truly grasp historical context?”
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters described Goff’s remarks as “deeply disappointing,” noting that they rendered his role “untenable.”
Goff’s statements emerged after Trump had halted military assistance to Kyiv following a tense interaction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office the previous week.
He drew a comparison between Trump and Churchill, who, despite being at odds with the British government, opposed the Munich Agreement, viewing it as capitulation to Nazi Germany’s demands.
Goff recounted Churchill’s admonition to then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain: “You faced a choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and now you shall have war.”
Peters emphasized that Goff’s opinions did not reflect the views of the New Zealand government.
“In such a position, you embody the government and the policies of the day. There is no room for independent thinking; you represent New Zealand,” local media quoted Peters as saying.
“This is not appropriate behavior for a nation’s diplomatic representative,” he added.
Goff had held the position of high commissioner since January 2023, having previously served in various ministerial roles, including justice, foreign affairs, and defence.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized Goff’s dismissal, stating it was justified by a “very flimsy rationale.”
“I recently attended the Munich Security Conference, where many drew parallels between Munich 1938 and current US actions,” she posted on X.
