After a brief spell as a teacher at Gesamtschule, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 1975–77, Charlton joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1978, and his diplomatic career included: West Africa Department, FCO, 1978–79; Amman, 1981–84; Near East and North Africa Department, FCO, 1984–86; British Military Government, Berlin, 1986–90; Deputy Chief, Assessments Staff, Cabinet Office, 1991–93; Head, Eastern…