Donald Trump has criticised Sir Keir Starmer again over the UK’s refusal to aid offensive strikes on Iran, saying the “relationship is obviously not what it was”. The US president told the Sun that the UK was “not such a recognisable country” and that Starmer “has not been helpful”.
Starmer issued his strongest rebuke yet of Trump’s action in Iran, 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, the prime minister said the UK would allow the use of its bases for defensive action to protect allied forces and nations in the Gulf and Middle East.
Trump compared Starmer’s actions unfavourably with France’s support and the backing of Nato secretary general Mark Rutte. “He has not been helpful. I never thought I’d see that. I never thought I’d see that from the UK. We love the UK,” he said.
In the House of Commons on Monday, Starmer expressed doubt about the US action in Tehran and its legality. “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan,” he said.
Chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones reiterated that the UK would not be involved in offensive strikes. “We’re not going to be getting involved in a wider conflict in the Middle East,” he said. Trump also criticised Starmer over the Chagos Islands deal, North Sea oil and gas exploration, and immigration, saying the UK should “stop people from coming in from foreign lands who hate you”.
