Starmer Urges Trump To Apologise Over Afghanistan Row

Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to apologise over his “frankly appalling” remarks about Nato troops in Afghanistan.

The US president insulted Nato allies this week by saying the defence alliance has never come to America’s aid.

Nato chief Mark Rutte reminded him that the only time Nato’s mutual defence clause has been invoked was after the 9/11 attacks on New York in 2001, prompting coalition countries to send their troops to war in Afghanistan.

But the president later claimed that Nato troops had actually “stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines” during the 20-year war.

This sparked further backlash, especially as the UK armed forces suffered 457 deaths, and many other nations lost a significant number of soldiers fighting.

Speaking in Downing Street on Friday, the prime minister said: “I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.”

“I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country,” he said. “There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.”

In response to comments from Diane Dernie, the mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, the prime minister added: “I’ve made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I’d apologise to her.”

However Starmer did also defend the UK’s ongoing relationship with the US.

He said: “We have a very close relationship with the US, and that is important for our security, for our defence and our intelligence and it’s very important we maintain that relationship.

“But is it because of that relationship that we fought alongside the Americans for our values in Afghanistan.

“And it was in that context that people lost their lives or suffered terrible injuries fighting for freedom, fighting with our allies for what we believe in.”

Starmer’s call for an apology came after the White House issued a statement doubling down on Trump’s remarks.

The US deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said: “President Trump is right – America’s contributions to Nato dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a 5% spending pledge from Nato allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defence.

“The United States is the only Nato partner who can protect Greenland, and the president is advancing Nato interests in doing so.”