Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing critique of Britain's immigration system, labelling it as 'out of control' during a recent interview. The controversial remarks come as Trump continues to navigate questions about his past ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump's Immigration Critique
Trump, known for his hardline stance on immigration during his presidency, didn't hold back when discussing the UK's border policies. 'What's happening in Britain is exactly what we stopped in America,' he claimed, referencing his administration's strict immigration measures.
The comments have sparked fresh debate about immigration controls in the UK, with some Conservative MPs privately agreeing with Trump's assessment while opposition figures dismissed his remarks as 'hypocritical'.
Epstein Connection Resurfaces
During the same interview, Trump was pressed about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. 'I knew him like everyone in Palm Beach knew him - he was a fixture around town,' Trump stated, distancing himself from the disgraced financier.
This isn't the first time Trump has had to address his Epstein connections. Flight logs show Trump flew on Epstein's plane at least once in the 1990s, though Trump maintains they had a falling out years before Epstein's crimes came to light.
Political Reactions
British politicians have been quick to respond to Trump's immigration comments. Home Office minister Chris Philp defended the UK's 'robust' border controls, while Labour's shadow home secretary accused Trump of 'trying to distract from his own controversies'.
Immigration experts note that while the UK faces challenges with illegal crossings, comparisons to US border issues are overly simplistic. 'The geography and legal frameworks are completely different,' explained one Whitehall source.
