Keir Starmer says he WON’T be calling livid Trump to elucidate why Labour volunteers have been campaigning towards him in US election
Keir Starmer has dismissed the idea of calling Donald Trump to explain why Labour activists have been campaigning against him in the US election.
The PM has been scrambling to quell a furious backlash from the Republican candidate after it emerged 100 party supporters had been helping out rival Kamala Harris in swing states.
Mr Trump’s team has filed an official complaint with federal election authorities accusing Labour of making ‘illegal foreign national contributions’.
There has also been anger that senior Labour figures went to the Democratic National Convention in August and met Harris aides.
In interviews at the Commonwealth summit in Samoa overnight, Sir Keir tried to gloss over fears the spat could derail the Special Relationship if Mr Trump wins.
In interviews at the Commonwealth summit in Samoa overnight, Keir Starmer tried to gloss over fears the spat could derail the Special Relationship if Mr Trump wins
Mr Trump’s team has filed an official complaint with federal election authorities accusing Labour of making ‘illegal foreign national contributions’
Labour MP Ruth Cadbury travelled to the US at the end of September, after the Labour Party Conference but before the Commons returned
He insisted that the situation needed to be ‘put in perspective’ as volunteers from parties have gone to help out in ‘every previous election’.
Asked if he was ‘annoyed’ about the row, Sir Keir told Sky News: ‘I think we should put this in perspective. I met President Trump just a few weeks ago in New York, we had dinner together for two hours or so.
‘He made a considerable effort to get to that dinner for which I was very grateful.
‘We both wanted to make sure we get to know each other, that we created a stand that the special relationshp with the US was forged in different circumstances historically but matters as much today and of course I will work with whoever the president is that’s elected by the American people in just a few days time.
‘The fact that a few Labour volunteers went in this election, as they have done in every previous election, in previous elections, as political activists from all political parties in pretty much every election year after year after year, needs to be put into its proper perspective.’
Labour MP Mike Tapp and former No10 spin chief Alastair Campbell at the DNC in August
Pressed on whether he was going to ‘bother’ to raise it with Mr Trump or his team, Sir Keir said: ‘No, I’ve got a good relationship with President Trump and I think the importance of the relationship between our two countries is very very significant and I will work with whoever is elected by the American people.’
