British Ambassador Hugh Elliott bids farewell to Spain after five years

The British Ambassador to Spain and non-resident Ambassador to Andorra, Hugh Elliott, is bidding farewell to Spain after serving as the diplomat for five years. Alex Ellis, the former ambassador to Brazil and Portugal, will succeed him.

Elliott shared "his last video" on social media, reflecting on the "crazy but wonderful" five years he spent in Spain. "Spain is an exceptional country, and the relationship between our countries is exceptional," he said in Spanish.

"You are a very welcoming country, and I have been able to visit almost all of the Spanish provinces. However, I must apologize to Badajoz and Almería, as I haven't had the time to visit, but it's a fantastic excuse to come back," he added.

The Ambassador moved to Spain in August 2019, and his mission was heavily impacted by Brexit policy changes, including the issue of driving licenses for UK nationals residing in Spain.

Among other challenges, there has been the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. During his time as Ambassador, UK newspaper The Telegraph reported that Elliott had suggested that the Spanish police should operate at the border entry points.

Claims that came after, at the time, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that an unnamed official had breached the country's mandate with Spain ahead of the Brexit deal.

During his time, he repeatedly said that a deal between both countries for the Rock's relationship with the EU would "beneficiate all sides."

One of his most recent viral, yet "painful" messages was his congratulations to the Spanish football team after they won against England in the Euro 2024 final.

For Elliott, however, his "biggest achievement as ambassador" was returning home "with far fewer pounds than when he arrived, despite the marvelous gastronomy," as he mentioned to his social media followers.

New Ambassador next week

Hugh Elliott will be replaced by Alex Ellis, as announced back in March by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government.

Before coming to the British Embassy in Spain, Ellis served as the British High Commissioner to India and, between 2013 and 2017, as Ambassador to Brazil. He also served as Ambassador to Portugal from 2007 to 2010.

Like Elliott, Ellis has a strong connection to Brexit, having served as the Director General in the Department for Exiting the EU for three years.