United Kingdom Prime Minister (PM). Mr Keir Starmer, has delivered an unusually sharp criticism of United States President, Mr Donald Trump, branding the latter’s remarks about British soldiers in Afghanistan as ‘insulting and frankly appalling’ and indicating that he should apologise.
Following a turbulent week in relations between London and Washington, the prime minister said it was entirely understandable that families of fallen British troops were distressed by Mr Trump’s claim that NATO forces had stayed away from the frontlines.
The Guardian of the UK observed that Starmer’s intervention represented a further deterioration in ties with Trump’s administration. Earlier in the week, the president had attacked the UK over its decision to hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius, a move that led the government to postpone related legislation in the House of Lords on Friday night.
Labour insiders said the delay was only temporary and blamed Conservative attempts to block the bill. However, it came after Mr Trump described the move as ‘a great act of stupidity’ and suggested the US might be able to prevent the transfer under a 1961 treaty.
By publicly condemning Trump’s comments on Afghanistan, Mr Starmer risks worsening diplomatic tensions, but Downing Street decided to speak out amid growing anger from veterans’ organisations and bereaved families.
After global backlash against Mr Trump’s claim that British and NATO forces had avoided frontline fighting, Mr Starmer paid tribute to the 457 British service personnel who died during the conflict.
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He said: “I will always remember their courage, bravery and sacrifice. Many others were seriously injured, some with life-changing consequences. That’s why I find the president’s remarks insulting and frankly appalling, and I’m not surprised they caused such pain to the families involved.”
When asked whether Mr Trump should apologise, Starmer replied: “If I had spoken like that, I would certainly apologise.”
Despite this, the prime minister emphasised the importance of maintaining close relations with the US, particularly for national security. He said Britain had fought alongside American forces in Afghanistan to defend shared values, and that lives were lost in that joint effort.
Mr Trump’s comments, made in an interview with Fox News, suggested NATO troops stayed ‘a little off the frontlines,’ sparking condemnation across the political spectrum and reviving criticism of his own record of avoiding military service during the Vietnam war.
Mr Trump previously received a medical exemption after being diagnosed with bone spurs, a claim that has long been questioned.
In the interview, Mr Trump said NATO countries had sent troops to Afghanistan but implied they had not been fully engaged in combat. He repeated similar claims at the World Economic Forum in Davos, questioning whether allies would come to America’s aid in return.
During the 20-year war, 3,486 NATO troops were killed, including 2,461 Americans and 165 Canadians.
Political leaders in the UK reacted angrily. Conservative leader, Ms Kemi Badenoch, accused Mr Trump of denigrating British troops and called his remarks ‘nonsense.’ Reform UK leader, Mr Nigel Farage, said Mr Trump was wrong and praised British forces for fighting bravely alongside the US.
Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Ed Davey, urged Starmer to summon the US ambassador, accusing Mr Trump of dodging military service and questioning how he could criticise those who had sacrificed their lives. Despite the pressure, No 10 confirmed there had been no direct contact with Mr Trump and no plans to formally reprimand the ambassador.
Defence secretary, Mr John Healey, said the UK and its allies had answered America’s call after 9/11 and that those who died should be remembered as heroes.
The armed forces minister, Mr Al Carns, who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, described the claims as ‘utterly ridiculous’ and invited anyone who believed them to meet him and families of the fallen.
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Prince Harry, who completed two frontline tours in Afghanistan, said the sacrifices of British soldiers deserved respect and honesty. He spoke of losing friends and of families permanently affected by the war.
Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson was severely injured by a landmine in 2006, said Trump’s comments were ‘beyond belief’ and urged PM Starmer to challenge him directly. She said the suggestion that soldiers had stayed away from danger was ‘the ultimate insult.’
President Trump’s remarks also prompted international criticism. Poland’s foreign minister said no one had the right to belittle the service of allied troops. Danish writer, Adam Price, described the comments as deeply offensive to grieving families, noting that Denmark had suffered the highest per-capita casualties outside the US.
Several British politicians with military experience also rejected Mr Trump’s claims. Labour MP, Mr Calvin Bailey, a former RAF officer, said they bore no resemblance to reality, while Conservative MP, Mr Ben Obese-Jecty, said it was sad to see NATO’s sacrifices dismissed so casually.
