Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has raised eyebrows by holding a meeting with Donald Trump’s former chief diplomat.
Mr Cleverly announced the face-to-face meeting with former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Thursday.
“Thanks for stopping by,” Mr Cleverly wrote as he publicised the meeting on Twitter.
“From the defence of Ukraine to strengthening our trade ties — it’s clear the US/UK relationship is going from strength to strength.”
His tweet met some objections from lobbyists and former officials who pointed out that Mr Pompeo does not speak for the US government.
Mr Pompeo left office in January 2021 and has been a vigorous critic of Joe Biden’s administration.
The meeting with Mr Cleverly came two days after Mr Trump announced he would seek a return to the White House in 2024.
Mr Pompeo has not ruled out mounting his own bid for the presidency, saying he was discussing the matter with his wife.
“We’re trying to think our way though, figuring out what’s next for us,” he told a conservative radio host this week.
The UK's Foreign Office said it had no further comment on the meeting.
Opposition figures sometimes meet foreign leaders or diplomats when they are running for election.
In 2014, then-UK opposition leader Ed Miliband met US president Barack Obama on a visit to the White House.
David Cameron and Tony Blair similarly met US incumbents — George W Bush and Bill Clinton respectively — before winning power in the UK.
Leaked emails from the server used by Hillary Clinton as secretary of state showed she maintained contact with UK counterpart David Miliband after he left office.
Liz Truss, after being appointed foreign secretary last year, met a US secretary of state from the more distant past in Henry Kissinger.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
