Special relationship in tatters after President Trump tells Starmer ‘we don’t need your aircraft carriers for war we’ve already won’ in explosive broadside
The Royal Navy does not need aircraft carriers, Donald Trump told Sir Keir Starmer last night, in a fresh blow to so-called Special Relations.
The President explosively warned that the US would ‘remember’ the lack of support from ‘our once great ally’ and suggested the Prime Minister was trying to join in when the war had already been won.
He posted on the Truth Social platform: ‘Our once Great Ally, perhaps the greatest of all, the United Kingdom, is seriously considering eventually sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
‘It’s okay Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them anymore – But we’ll remember. We don’t need people joining Wars after we’ve already won them!’
The British government did not participate in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran that started last weekend, and the Prime Minister emphasized last Sunday that the UK “will not participate in offensive action at this time”.
However, he accepted the US request to use its military bases for ‘specific and limited defense purposes’ to destroy Iran’s missiles ‘at source’.
It follows Saturday’s announcement that the Royal Navy is preparing one of its two aircraft carriers for potential deployment to the Middle East.
HMS Prince of Wales’ readiness is being increased; The crew was warned to prepare to depart within five days.
The Royal Navy does not need aircraft carriers, Donald Trump told Sir Keir Starmer last night, in a fresh blow to so-called Special Relations. Picture: Two leaders in September last year
It comes after it was revealed on Saturday that the Royal Navy is preparing HMS Prince of Wales (pictured, file photo), one of its two aircraft carriers, for potential deployment to the Middle East.
This means the ship, like the £1bn Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon, could be deployed to the Middle East next week.
The Mail on Sunday understands no decisions have been made yet, but a Ministry of Defense spokesman said: ‘HMS Prince of Wales has always maintained a very high level of readiness and we are increasing the carrier’s readiness, reducing the time it takes to get underway for any deployment.’
The 64 thousand-ton warship, carrying a crew of 1,600, has been under maintenance for three months.
With a 230 ft wide and 920 ft long flight deck (enough space for three football fields), this powerful aircraft carrier can deploy up to 36 F-35 fighter jets.
Ten days’ notice had previously been given to sail.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has come under harsh criticism for not acting quickly enough to protect Cyprus from enemy drones and missiles.
RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone strike last Sunday, prompting Sir Keir to announce that HMS Dragon, equipped with state-of-the-art missile defense systems, would be deployed to the area to defend the base.
However, it will remain anchored in Portsmouth this weekend and will probably not reach the conflict zone for another week.
Sir Richard Knighton, the head of the British army and Chief of the General Staff, said yesterday that he “completely” rejects criticism that Britain was ill-prepared for the conflict that broke out in the Middle East.
He said HMS Dragon would leave ‘within the next few days, as soon as we get the ammunition on board’, but did not give details of how long it would take to reach the Mediterranean.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has come under harsh criticism for not acting quickly enough to protect Cyprus from enemy drones and missiles. RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian drone strike last Sunday. Picture: Flashes exploded in the sky over the base, where other unmanned aerial vehicles were also seized on Monday
This led Sir Keir to announce that HMS Dragon, equipped with state-of-the-art missile defense systems, would be deployed to the region to defend the base. Picture: Soldiers boarded the warship docked in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Meanwhile, a Ministry of Defense spokesman added: ‘Since the attacks began, British jets have been shooting down drones in the skies and we have deployed additional assets into the region to further strengthen our air defences, including more Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters with drone-destroying missiles.’
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said yesterday that Sir Keir was ‘very afraid’ of intervening in the Iran crisis for fear it would further alienate Left voters who have turned to the Green Party.
It comes as President Donald Trump yesterday branded Iran the ‘loser of the Middle East’ and predicted its ‘complete collapse’.
He added that Iran would be hit ‘very hard’, saying: ‘They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East.
‘For the first time in thousands of years, Iran is losing to the surrounding Middle Eastern countries.’
Mr. Trump later met with the grieving families of six American soldiers killed in action.
