Envoy’s ‘Butler’ Remarks Defended

The Foreign Office said Friday that the British Consul General in Shanghai was expressing his own views but was probably telling the truth when he said he could earn more as a butler in the United States.

A spokesman was responding to questions about statements made by Trevor Mound, 54, in a television program screened last week that showed him re-establishing Britain’s consulate in the Chinese city.

Mound, who affectionately described Chinese banquets as “slow but refined torture,” said he would like to become a butler on the U.S. West Coast when he retired.

“I’ve got roughly the right shape and sound,” said Mound, who is an ex-army officer.

“I think in fact that diplomacy is a good training. It helps you to be courteous to impossible and unpleasant people and I’d probably make a good deal more money than I do in my present job,” Mound added.