Trump’s Nato troop claim slammed by mother of injured British veteran
The mother of a British soldier seriously injured in Afghanistan has described Donald Trump’s comments about the role of NATO troops in the war as the “greatest insult”.
The US president made the comments in an interview with Fox News, repeating his suggestion that NATO would not support America if asked, before making false claims about the role of NATO troops in the conflict.
He said: “We never needed them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed behind a little bit, a little bit from the front lines.”
About 1,186 non-American NATO soldiers died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to Help for Heroes. More than 2,300 members of the US armed forces were killed.
Diane Dernie, mother of Ben Parkinson, considered the most seriously injured British soldier to survive Afghanistan, said: “I can assure you the Taliban did not plant an IED miles from the front line.
“To say that British troops, NATO forces, are not on the front lines is just a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions and is beyond belief.
“I mean, it’s so insulting, it’s so hard to hear. We’d be very curious to see how our own Prime Minister would react to that, because it’s just shameful.”
Ms Dernie added: “General (David) Petraeus, who was in charge of the American forces in 2008, came and met Ben and several of the wounded. He gave them all medals and told them what an incredible ally the British forces were, what a fantastic job they were doing and the incredibly high price they had to pay.”
He said: “It is unfair and insulting for Trump to make this statement.”
Mr Parkinson suffered horrific injuries in 2006 when an Army Land Rover struck a mine near Musa Qala. The explosion caused the former lance bombardier from 7 Para RHA to have both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage.
Asked what Keir Starmer should do in response to President Trump’s comments, Ms Dernie, from Doncaster, said: “He needs to refute what is being said. He needs to come forward.”
“He must defend his own armed forces and absolutely refute what Donald Trump says.
“Call him out. Stand with those who fight for this country and our flag, because this is beyond belief.”
“Come and look at us, look at the life Ben has led, 19 and a half years on, still fighting for his care, still fighting for him to have a decent life, recovering from a recent surgery.
“To hear this guy say, ‘Oh, you’re just hanging around behind the front lines.’ That’s the ultimate insult.”
A minister has suggested he will speak directly to Mr Trump about Sir Keir’s remarks about NATO troops.
Stephen Kinnock told LBC: “Look at how he presents this as a leading voice on the Greenland issue and strengthening the European dimension of NATO.
“So I’m sure he will discuss this with the president.
“He stood up very strongly on tariffs and said they were completely wrong, especially at Prime Minister’s Questions, I think he made that really clear.
“Therefore, we have a Prime Minister who will stand behind the values and principles that I know.
“He is incredibly proud of our armed forces and will make that clear to the president.”
