Sir Christopher Meyer, former British Ambassador to the US under Tony Blair, has died at the age of 78.
The UK's current Ambassador in Washington, Karen Pierce, confirmed his passing on Twitter on Thursday (July 28).
He suffered a stroke while on holiday with his wife in the French Alps, according to the Daily Mail.
Paying tribute, Ms Pierce wrote that he was “a great diplomat and a great character”, adding: “All our thoughts are with Catherine and his family.”
Sir Christopher Meyer served in the post for six years from 1997 during Tony Blair 's premiership, and had previously been press secretary to Conservative prime minister John Major between 1994 and 1996.
He played an important role in providing communication during a momentous period in London-Washington relations, with 9/11, the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War all taking place during his time in the role.
In 2005 he released his memoirs, DC Confidential, which recounted his time as Ambassador.
The book caused a stir for its sharp criticism of Blair over his handling of the period leading up to the Iraq War, and upon its release he was criticised by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for revealing private discussions at a high level.
But Sir Christopher hit back, saying: "When politicians have no inhibitions writing diaries, I don't think it right to have a blanket ban on civil servants."
He also confirmed the work has been vetted by the Cabinet Office, adding: "You can't then call it a breach of trust."
Sir Christopher was also chairman of the Press Complaints Commission between 2003 and 2009.
In October 1997 he married Catherine Meyer, Baroness Meyer on the day before his departure to Washington.
Together they founded the charity Parents & Abducted Children Together, which aims to combat international child abduction and help authorities in different countries locate missing children.
