US President Donald Trump has launched a deeply personal attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his refusal to let the US launch initial strikes on Iran from British bases, telling reporters: 'This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.'
In his latest salvo, Trump said he was not happy with the UK even though Starmer eventually agreed the US could use Diego Garcia for strikes on Iranian missile facilities. It was the third time in 24 hours that Trump had criticised Starmer for the UK’s refusal to aid the initial strikes, underlining his frustration at western allies for not unequivocally backing the action.
Speaking in the Commons, Starmer issued his strongest rebuke yet, saying the UK did not believe in 'regime change from the skies' and defended his decision not to allow the use of British bases to conduct the strikes. However, he said the UK would allow the use of Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for defensive action to protect British citizens and forces.
Starmer stated: 'President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest.' The chair of the foreign affairs committee, Emily Thornberry, said of Trump’s comments: 'I can’t help but wonder what Churchill would have made of Trump. He certainly ain’t no Franklin D Roosevelt.'
European countries have struggled to find a united position. Trump also threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after Madrid prohibited US use of its bases. A YouGov poll found 49% of Britons oppose the US strikes on Iran, with 32% supporting the use of RAF bases for restricted targets.
