Kemi Badenoch has described Donald Trump’s repeated criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer as “childish”, as the Conservative leader continues to distance herself from the US president and his military action against Iran.
In a social media video, Badenoch said: “But the words coming from the White House are completely wrong. I think it’s actually quite childish. There is a lot that can be said behind closed doors.” The Tory leader warned that the western alliance arguing with itself sends the wrong signal to opponents in Iran or Russia.
Badenoch’s remarks mark a notable shift from her earlier stance. She previously praised Trump and criticised Starmer for not allowing the US to use UK bases during the initial attack on Iran. However, polling showing British voters largely oppose deeper involvement in the conflict appears to have influenced her change.
Her comments followed Trump’s latest attack on Starmer during a White House meeting with the Irish taoiseach, where Trump accused the prime minister of insufficient support and said he was “no Winston Churchill”. UK government sources disputed Trump’s claim that the UK had offered aircraft carriers only after the war, citing the volatility in the Strait of Hormuz.
