The Prime Minister launched an astonishing criticism of Donald Trump’s intervention on the Chagos Islands.
Keir Starmer appeared to slam the US President in the Commons (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has blown up the Special Relationship with an astonishing attack on Donald Trump’s criticism of his Chagos surrender. Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir was called out by Kemi Badenoch over his hypocrisy, as he says the future of Greenland should be decided by the Danes but refuses to consult the Chagossians over his planned giveaway of the overseas territory.
Standing at the dispatch box, a furious Sir Keir launched a jaw-dropping attack on the US President’s criticism of his deal. The Prime Minister fumed: “President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different to his previous words of welcome and support when I met him in the White House. “He deployed those words yesterday for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland.
Starmer vs Kemi at PMQs (Image: Parliament Live)
“Mr Speaker, [Trump] wants me to yield on my position, and I’m not going to do so.
“Given that was his express purpose, I’m surprised the leader of the opposition has jumped on the bandwagon.”
Taking to Truth Social yesterday morning, Mr Trump branded the handover deal “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY”.
Speaking last night at the White House he doubled down, saying: “I think [Britain] should keep it. I don’t know why they’re doing it.”
Responding to Sir Keir’s astonishing war of words with Trump at PMQs, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch: “He expects us to believe he knows what’s going on in President Trump’s mind.
“Let me remind him, his deputy PM – then Foreign Secretary – used to say that if President Trump ‘didn’t like the deal, it wouldn’t go ahead’.”
Sir Keir’s deal was left in tatters earlier this week as Donald Trump came out against the deal, which will see the Chagos Islands handed over to Mauritius.
A major British-American base on the island, Diego Garcia, will then be leased back with billions of British taxpayers’ cash handed over to the ally of China.
While the deal has been signed by Britain and Mauritius, it has not yet been ratified by Parliament.
In the House of Lords last night, Labour Peers voted once again against an amendment to ensure Chaggosians are given a referendum on the issue.
