Bordeaux, June 24, With the signing of the Franco-German armistice, Britain has abandoned diplomatic representation with the French Government.
It is learned that the British Ambassador, Sir Ronald Campbell, accompanied by principal members of the Embassy staff, left Bordeaux aboard a British destroyer, The Ambassador had stayed in Bordeaux in order to keep his Government informed of developments, The Embassy staff, newspapermen and other Britons left aboard special liners a week ago when it was first learned France had asked for an armistice, M. Laval was named to the post of Vice-Premier just prior to a Cabinet meeting held at noon on Sunday. The Cabinet degraded General de Gaulle's official status as a result of his radio speech broadcast from London last night.—Reuter, Britain Modifies Stand London, June 24.
Modifying the statement broadcast by the B.B.C. last night that Britain broke off diplomatic relations with the Bordeaux Government, authoritative sources today announced that while Britain had not withdrawn its recognition of the Petain Government, the fullest British support was being given to General Charles de Gaulle's National Committee.
The announcement also added that Sir Ronald Hugh Campbell, British Ambassador to France, and British Embassy and Consulate officials in France were only withdrawn to avoid their falling into German hands. The announcement emphasized that this however, "does not affect the continuance of diplomatic relations with the Bordeaux regime."
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