Keir Starmer hits again over Trump query and UK-US particular relationship at PMQs
Keir Starmer has hit back at an MP grilling him on the UK-US special relationship after Donald Trump’s latest outburst.
The US President said on Tuesday evening the PM was “not Winston Churchill” after the initial decision not to allow American planes to launch the first strikes against Iran from British bases. It was the latest in a string of attacks on the UK government from Mr Trump, who launched a joint attack on Tehran at the weekend.
Mr Starmer had later on Sunday agreed to allow America to use British military bases – but only for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites to protect countries in the Middle East.
During PMQs, the Tory MP Gareth Bacon said: “The USA is our most important international, strategic ally. Does the PM believe his dithering and equivocal response to the events in the Middle East this week has made that relationship stronger or weaker?”
But the PM hit back, saying: “American planes are operating out of British bases. That is the special relationship in action. British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases. That is the special relationship in action.
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“Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe. That is the special relationship in action. Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship.”
During PMQs Mr Starmer also said the conflict in the Middle East required a “cool head” as he defended the UK government’s response to the spiraling crisis. He said: “This Government will be resolute in our focus, protecting British lives, bringing our people home, and safeguarding our national interest.”
He told MPs “the whole country is worried about the potential for escalation” in the Middle East, and “we need to act, therefore, with clarity, with purpose, and with a cool head”.
The UK’s air bases, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, were initially denied to the US for their strikes against the Iranian regime. Mr Starmer said: “What I was not prepared to do on Saturday was for the UK to join a war unless I was satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. That remains my position.”
