British ambassador to leave diplomatic service after ‘falling in love with Dublin'
Mr Johnston was due to return to London in September after five years in Ireland during which he played a key role in rebuilding Anglo-Irish relations in the post-Brexit era.
However, the Scottish native told invitees at his annual garden party tonight that he plans to leave the diplomatic service after falling in love with Ireland.
The Irish Independent understands he will take up a role in the education sector later this year.
Mr Johnston (57) moved to Dublin, along with his wife Nicola, in September 2020. He has regularly spoken about enjoying the posting despite arriving at a difficult time for political relations and in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
Several hundred guests attended a party to mark King Charles's birthday at the ambassador's residence in Glencairn, south Dublin where he made the surprise announcement.
Among the crowd were EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, former tánaistí Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Harney, RTÉ presenters Claire Byrne and Oliver Callan, and architect Dermot Bannon.
Mr Johnson said he had 'a little bit of news' and explained that he had 'fallen in love' with Dublin.
He added that 'people are the lights of every city'.
'That's very much what it's felt like for Nicola and me in Ireland. The people we've met have been the highlight of our time here.
'And it's primarily because of the people that we've met that we've taken quite a big decision.'
The diplomat has worked with the UK public service for 35 years. He has served in Paris and New York and has also had a wide range of political and security roles in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
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