Keir Starmer praises Donald Trump’s function in Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to US President Donald Trump for his “function in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza” throughout a name between the 2 leaders.
The dialog occurred on Sunday, hours after Trump praised Sir Keir for having finished a “excellent job up to now” and mentioned the pair had a “excellent relationship”.
The incoming Trump administration labored in shut co-ordination with that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the deal, which was agreed between Israel and Hamas earlier this month.
The president welcomed the discharge of the just lately freed British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari.
Downing Road additionally mentioned Trump and Sir Keir “mentioned the significance of working collectively for safety within the Center East”.
The prime minister used the decision to put out how his authorities was “deregulating to spice up development”.
Earlier this week, Sir Keir introduced plans to dam campaigners from making repeated authorized challenges to planning choices for main infrastructure initiatives – whereas his chancellor hinted on Sunday that she would help increasing Heathrow Airport.
Trump himself has supported a deregulatory agenda – a view he shares with adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who earlier than taking on a US authorities place complained about rules standing in the way in which of his firms.
Musk has been extremely essential of Sir Keir and has repeatedly known as for the prime minister’s removing from workplace, nonetheless.
Earlier this month, Musk mentioned Sir Keir was “deeply complicit within the mass rapes in alternate for votes” in relation to the grooming gangs scandal.
In response, Sir Keir – who was director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013 – accused his critics of “spreading lies and misinformation” and mentioned he tackled prosecutions “head on”.
However in an interview with the BBC on Air Drive One on Saturday, Trump praised the prime minister’s management, saying he was a “excellent man”.
“I could not agree along with his philosophy, however I’ve an excellent relationship with him.”
Regardless of philosophical variations, it might seem that the dialog was convivial.
The president started the decision by providing his condolences to Sir Keir concerning the loss of life of his brother, Nick, who died on Boxing Day.
He additionally expressed his “respect” for the UK Royal Household.
Trump, whose mom was born in Scotland, is a long-term and avowed fan of the royals.
After assembly the Prince of Wales final month whereas the pair had been in France, Trump described Prince William as a “good man” doing a “implausible job”.
Sir Keir wrote on X following his name with Trump: “I look ahead to assembly quickly to strengthen the shut ties between our nations.”
Each males have already met on various events, together with a go to by Sir Keir to Trump Tower in New York throughout the presidential marketing campaign – however their upcoming assembly would be the first since Trump resumed the presidency.
Final week, International Secretary David Lammy mentioned Sir Keir would go to Washington for talks with Trump “throughout the subsequent few weeks”.
The decision was not the discussion board for an in depth coverage dialogue, however there was no point out within the Downing Road assertion of the possibly contentious proposed deal to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, the place there’s a joint US-UK navy base.
And whereas commerce was talked about, the phrase “tariffs” – which Trump has threatened to impose on nations that promote merchandise within the US and which the UK is hoping to keep away from – doesn’t seem in both the White Home or Downing Road’s account of the dialog.
The White Home mentioned the 2 mentioned “how each nations can promote a good bilateral financial relationship”.
