British ambassador to the US on 9/11 to speak at June AM100 Dinner

The British ambassador to the US on 9/11 and the subsequent ‘war on terror’ is the guest speaker at the 2017 AM100 Dinner in June.

Sir Christopher Meyer KCMG (pictured) was posted to Washington as ambassador towards the end of the Clinton presidency.

Whilst in the States Meyer became deeply involved in several critical situations, from trade disputes to the aftermath of 9/11 and the ‘war’ against terrorism.

He gave over 200 speeches, visited 44 states and 120 cities, and formally introduced Prime Minister Tony Blair to President George W. Bush.

Christopher’s subsequent account of life behind the scenes, DC Confidential, caused a huge amount of controversy.

Prior to his role in the US, Christopher served as Ambassador to Germany; press secretary to John Major; speechwriter to three Foreign Secretaries, and head of the political section of the Embassy in Moscow.

He also served in Madrid and Brussels.

In his book and the accompanying BBC series Getting Our Way: 500 Years of Adventure and Intrigue - the Inside Story of British Diplomacy he recounted the extraordinary events in diplomatic history that shaped the UK and the world.

On television, as well as regular appearances on the likes of Question Time and This Week, Meyer has fronted the BBC documentary Mortgaged to the Yanks, looking at America’s post-war loan to the UK which took 70 years to pay off.

He’s also written and presented Sky’s Networks of Power, looking at the modern centres of political and economic influence from Moscow to Mumbai via New York.

After an extended five year term in the US, he returned to the UK and went on to chair the Press Complaints Commission.

He is an engaging speaker.

Whether talking about the axis of power between Europe and America, the power (and limits) of diplomacy, the presidential race, ambassadorial etiquette or the history of pop music (a favourite topic) - he speaks with enormous authority and a subtle mixture of refinement and irreverence.

In 1998 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.