Desperate and Deluded: We cannot put a warship to sea, Trump’s frozen him out, Britain is a laughing inventory… however Keir Starmer insists he IS in management…

Keir Starmer was branded delusional on Thursday night after insisting he has a grip on the Middle East crisis.

At an emergency press conference, the Prime Minister claimed he was delivering ‘calm, level-headed leadership’. 

But his relationship with Britain’s most important ally hit a new low as Donald Trump branded him a ‘loser’.

Sir Keir urged Mr Trump to ‘de-escalate’ the crisis and negotiate with what is left of Iran‘s leadership.  But the PM admitted that, despite the global crisis, he had not spoken to the US President for almost a week following their spectacular falling-out.

He also faced a growing chorus of criticism from allies in the Middle East over the lack of preparations that has led to Cyprus looking for military support from France, Italy and Spain – rather than Britain – after an RAF base on the island was hit by an Iranian drone.

In further farcical scenes, the UK failed to get its first evacuation flight from Oman off the ground, despite other countries having no such problems.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said Sir Keir was in denial, adding: ‘Never in the history of our great nation has a Government been so feeble at a time when our people and allies are under assault.

‘Britain’s weak Prime Minister has failed in his duty to stand up for Britain’s place in the world, failed to work with our allies, failed to promote our interests in the region, and failed to provide the leadership needed to protect our military personal, our bases, and British nationals.’ 

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) urged Donald Trump to ‘de-escalate’ the crisis and negotiate with what is left of Iran’s leadership

However, Sir Keir admitted that, despite the global crisis, he had not spoken to Donald Trump (pictured in the White House) for almost a week following their spectacular falling-out

Sir Keir was stung into a public defence of his actions following days of criticism.

At a hastily arranged press conference, he accused President Trump of plunging the Middle East ‘into chaos’. 

He defended his decision to avoid taking any ‘offensive’ action against Tehran even after British bases were targeted.

Sir Keir suggested that the fallout from the conflict could go on for months, with potentially huge impacts on energy bills and the cost of living – and the possibility of a new refugee crisis.

He acknowledged that relatives of the tens of thousands of British citizens trapped in the war zone were ‘worried sick’ but said a mass evacuation ‘is not going to happen overnight’.

He added: ‘I want you to know that your Government is resolute in our response, at home and abroad.

‘We will do everything we can to protect British lives, uphold British values and safeguard the national interest.’

Sir Keir did not deny reports suggesting that he had wanted to allow US jets to fly ‘defensive’ missions from British bases from the outset, but was blocked by Ed Miliband and other senior ministers who questioned whether having a positive relationship with the US was ‘a good thing right now for the Labour Party’.

Asked whether Mr Miliband was now in charge of foreign policy, the PM’s spokesman said: ‘Clearly the PM and Foreign Secretary have been key players in decision-making around this, along with key members of the Cabinet, as you would expect.’

Labour’s former shadow chancellor John McDonnell suggested Sir Keir would have been forced out if he had allowed Britain to be dragged into the war.

Kemi Badenoch said it was ‘shocking’ that party political considerations appeared to have played a part in determining the Government’s response to the US’s request. 

She said the RAF should join bombing raids aimed at taking out Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, telling the BBC: ‘Sometimes the best way to de-escalate a situation is to try and finish it quickly, rather than let it drag out because you don’t want to get involved.

‘Once our bases had been attacked, we became part of this, whether we liked it or not.’

Writing in the Daily Mail, the Tory leader said: ‘Even now, as our brave servicemen and women are under attack, Starmer is still dithering. Our allies are rightly furious.’

Nigel Farage said the Government should have supported the US-Israeli attack on Iran ‘from day one’.

The Reform UK leader said Sir Keir appeared to have been the victim of a ‘Left-wing revolt’ by Mr Miliband which had left Britain ‘humiliated’ on the world stage.

President Trump stepped up his criticism of Sir Keir on Thursday night, telling the New York Post: ‘It was very disappointing – his performance, having to do with our tremendous attack on a hostile nation.

‘I was very surprised at Keir. Very disappointed.’

A source told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Trump has started calling Starmer a loser. He said it at a dinner with friends.

‘He just thinks Starmer has no future any more.’

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are both said to have accused Sir Keir of doing too little to defend British interests and allies in the region.

The Spectator magazine reported that senior figures in Jordan were ‘furious’ at the Government. And Cyprus’s high commissioner publicly said he was ‘disappointed’ with the UK’s response.

Sir Keir announced that Britain was sending another four Typhoon jets to Qatar.

And Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus in a bid to mend fences with a country that feels it has become a target for Iran because of the presence of the RAF Akrotiri base.