] US secretary of state Colin Powell is the main candidate ] to be the next American ambassador to London, the Evening ] Standard has learned. ] ] Mr Powell is widely expected to step down from his ] current post after the presidential elections in ] November. ] ] It is understood President Bush, if re-elected, may use ] the offer of the ambassadorship, one of the most ] sought-after diplomatic postings, to ease the departure ] of Mr Powell, 67. |