Bombshell warning over UK security after Trump’s fallout with Starmer | World | News
It was claimed that the deterioration of relations between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer had a negative impact on US-UK security cooperation. Reports suggest ‘first cracks’ are emerging in the relationship as the US President continues to argue with the Prime Minister over the Iran war.
Mr Trump harshly criticized the Labor leader, saying he was “no Winston Churchill” and has repeatedly expressed his disappointment with Britain’s stance on the Middle East. The tensions have raised fears that the so-called special relationship between Britain and the US has deteriorated, with Mr Trump admitting it is “not the same”. Differences over the Iran war are now affecting relations between officials, military personnel and diplomats, according to reports.
American officials seconded to British government departments are increasingly being asked to leave meetings where sensitive information is being shared, a source said. Finance TimesThis spoiled the story.
The source also said Britain had been slower to approve requests for American aircraft to use British military bases such as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
They added that previously this would have been “crusted” by London, but now it was “stickier” and there was “a bit of extra tension in the system”.
Britain’s initial refusal to allow America to use British bases, including Fairford, to launch attacks on Iran was a key cause of tensions between Mr Trump and Sir Keir.
The Prime Minister later authorized US forces to launch limited, defensive strikes from the areas, but offensive action remains out of the question.
British officials reportedly insisted there had been no change in Britain’s security policy, with one official claiming a strong working relationship remained between staff in London and Washington.
A UK government spokesman told the FT: “The US is our principal defense and security partner and we continue to cooperate deeply in the national interest. This includes the US operating from British bases, as it has done for decades.”
A Pentagon official said: “The US and UK have a long-standing strong defense relationship that continues even during the current conflict.”
