U.S. officials ‘mocked Britain in secret and treated idea of special relationship as a joke’

The ‘special relationship’ between Britain and the United States was treated as a joke by Barack Obama and his team, according to an insider.

Former presidential adviser Jeremy Shapiro claimed the friendship between the two countries was “unrequited” – and was mocked when the cameras were turned off.

Mr Shapiro, who was an adviser in the U.S. state department under Mr Obama, claim he made digs in public by inserting references to ‘the Malvinas’ – the Argentinian name for the Falklands – into press conferences.

And behind the scenes, officials were said to joke about the Falklands, reports the Daily Mail.

Mr Shapiro told the Cheltenham Literature Festival: “From my perspective it was very important for us to mention the special relationship in every press conference that we had when the UK were here.

“But really we laughed about it behind the scenes. Typically, I would try and slip in a reference to the Malvinas or something to spoil it.”

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Despite the public proclamations of a special relationship with the UK, the Obama administration apparently did not see it as any more important than ties with other European countries.

He added: “It was a close relationship, a good relationship and a productive relationship.

“But it was the kind of relationship we would have with other countries.”

The claims back up the view that Britain’s relationship with the United States waned during the Obama years.

The former President removed a bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office – but it was put back by Donald Trump, who has promised to work on an “even better” special relationship between the two countries.

However, Mr Shapiro said Trump was merely “exploiting” the relationship in order to get the best trade deal for the United States.