Footage has emerged of Donald Trump mocking Sir Keir Starmer during an Easter lunch speech at the White House, accusing the prime minister of equivocating over sending UK aircraft carriers to the Middle East. The US president claimed Starmer said he would have to consult his team before deciding, despite the war having already started.
Trump said: 'I asked [the] UK, who should be our best. In fact the king is coming over here in two weeks, he’s a nice guy, King Charles. But should be our best but they weren’t our best. I said: “You have two, old broken-down aircraft carriers, do you think you could send them over?” “No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet, we’re meeting next week.” But the war already started. Next week the war’s going to be over … in three days.'
However, Whitehall sources said Trump had never asked the UK for the vessels and Britain had not offered them. The remarks were made at a lunch not open to the press, initially released by the White House on social media but later deleted. The video was republished by a Business Insider reporter.
Trump also mocked French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming his wife 'treats him extremely badly'. The US president has repeatedly criticised the UK over its decision not to authorise the use of military bases for initial strikes on Iran and the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Starmer has not retaliated, stating he would stick to his position on the war 'whatever the pressure and the noise'. He said: 'I am utterly focused on what is in the best interests of our country and I am unapologetic about that. I am the British prime minister and my job is to be absolutely focused on what is in the British national interest.'
