Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the “sacrifice” of the UK’s armed forces after US vice chairman JD Vance was accused of “disrespecting” British troops.
Starting Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir stated Thursday might be 13 years since six younger British troopers died whereas on patrol in Afghanistan and 18 years since Royal Marine Benjamin Reddy was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
He stated 642 individuals died in Afghanistan and Iraq “fighting for Britain alongside our allies”, including: “We will never forget their bravery and their sacrifice.”
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Sir Keir met Donald Trump in Washington DC final week. Pic: PA
His pointed remarks – with out mentioning the US immediately – in regards to the conflicts fought alongside the US following the 9/11 assault in 2001 got here after Mr Vance was accused of “disrespecting” UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The UK and France are the one international locations to have pledged troops to a possible peacekeeping pressure.
Nonetheless, Mr Vance later stated the suggestion he was referring to these two allies is “absurdly dishonest”.
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‘Ought to have much more respect’
Sir Keir’s spokesman, requested if the PM was aggravated with Mr Vance’s feedback, stated it was “totally legitimate” for him to pay tribute to troopers forward of the anniversary of their deaths.
“You can draw your own conclusions,” he added.
Liberal Democrat MP and former British Military officer Richard Foord was extra direct in his criticism of Mr Vance, telling PMQs the grandfather of a soldier who misplaced his life whereas serving in Iraq stated the vice chairman ought to “have a lot more respect for those who lost their lives”.
He requested if Sir Keir would remind the US how the UK was there for them following 9/11, to which Sir Keir stated: “We do remember the role that we’ve played historically with our allies, and we particularly remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice in that duty for their country and for our allies.
“And that is why it is so essential that we make that time right now.”
Sir Keir also said: “We have to do the whole lot we will to make sure that the US, Europe and Ukraine are working collectively on lasting peace. And I am doing the whole lot I can to play my half in that, in common contact with all the important thing gamers in the meanwhile, together with speaking to President Zelenskyy yesterday afternoon.”
‘In nationwide curiosity to offer a safety assure’
Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch requested what Sir Keir is doing to influence the US that it’s of their nationwide curiosity to offer a safety assure for any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
He replied: “On Thursday of last week, we did discuss security guarantees, the president made absolutely clear his commitment to Article 5 of NATO.
“Completely clear he would have our backs.”
Article 5 states if a NATO member nation is attacked, all different members will come to its help, together with using armed compelled if essential.
