A criminal investigation has been launched to look into the alleged leak of emails sent by the UK ambassador to the US, say Met Police.

Sir Kim Darroch stepped down from the position on Wednesday, stating that it was ‘impossible’ for him to continue after the confidential emails were exposed.

In the messages, he had been critical of US President Donald Trump, calling his administration ‘clumsy and inept’

President Trump then stated that the US would no longer deal with Sir Kim, branding him a ‘very stupid guy’.

Met Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said there was a ‘clear public interest’ in bringing whoever was responsible for the email leak to justice.

He said: ‘Given the widely reported consequences of that leak, I am satisfied that there has been damage caused to UK international relations, and there would be clear public interest in bringing the person or people responsible to justice.

‘I would say to the person or people who did this, the impact of what you have done is obvious. However, you are now also responsible for diverting busy detectives from undertaking their core mission.

‘You can stop this now. Turn yourself in at the earliest opportunity, explain yourself and face the consequences.

‘Also, to anyone who knows or suspects those responsible, or who has any information, please come forward.’

He also advised individuals and the media not to publish leaked government documents, warning that doing so could be in breach of the law.

The investigation has been launched by the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command, which looks into allegations of criminal breaches of the Official Secrets Act, Mr Basu said.

The government had already opened an internal inquiry into the publication of the memos.

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