A verbally bruised and battered Sir Keir Starmer is reported to have tried to cool tensions with President Donald Trump who is furious over Britain’s reaction to the Iran war by trying to discuss the upcoming US visit of King Charles. The US leader has been outspoken in his criticism of the PM after Downing Street initially refused to allow American bombers to use RAF bases for the attacks on Iran which began on February 28.
Sir Keir later U-turned and said the Americans could used the bases for ‘defensive » strikes, but the damage was apparently already done to the UK’s so-called ‘Special Relationship’ with Washington as Trump launched a series of blistering verbal attacks on the PM last week calling him « no Winston Churchill » and saying he was « very disappointed ». It was also reported that in private Trump had branded the British Prime Minister a « loser ».
For his part Sir Keir accused Trump of not having a « viable, thought-through plan » about the implications of an attack on Iran for the wider world and Middle East. On Sunday night Sir Keir was able to have his first direct phone call with Trump since the disagreement exploded into a war of words.
The Sun reports the phone call was « not a rosy affair » but that Sir Keir tried to use the Royal Family as a way of placating his outspoken American counterpart.
According to The Sun, the exchange between the two men was « testy » but Sir Keir mentioned King Charles and Queen Camillia visiting the United States at the end of April as a way of lightening the mood.
The King and Queen are due to visit the US for three days as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Sir Keir is well aware Trump is a fan of the royals and during a previous meeting with the president he whipped out an official invitation from King Charles to invite Trump to Britain in September last year for an unprecedented second state visit by a US president.
Following the phone call between Trump and Sir Keir, Downing Street said in a statement: « The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
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« The prime minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.
« They looked forward to speaking again soon. »
Trump has repeatedly hit out at Sir Keir’s decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action against Iran.
The Prime Minister later granted permission for « defensive » US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases and American bombers have begun operations from RAF Fairford.
After reports the UK was preparing the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier to go to the Middle East, Mr Trump said « we don’t need them any longer » and that « we don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won! ».
No decisions have yet been taken to deploy the warship.
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