News Beat
Trump remarks about British troops ‘disgraceful’ says Bolton MP
The president suggested in an interview with Fox News that Nato allied troops “stayed a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan.
The president also claimed America had “never needed” its Nato partners, despite being the only member state to have ever invoked the alliance’s “all for one, and one for all” clause, in the wake of 9/11.
His remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum in the UK, with critics pointing to both the number of UK deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Trump’s avoidance of military service in Vietnam.
Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, said: “The comments by the President of the USA belittling the sacrifice of British forces in Afghanistan are disgraceful.
“Many gave the ultimate sacrifice, and many of those who did come home live with the legacy of both physical and mental struggle.
“Throughout the day, I have been contacted by veterans absolutely appalled by his lack of respect.
“He should reflect on his comments, but sadly I doubt he will.”
There were a number of soldiers from Bolton who were died or suffered life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.
The Darren Deady Foundation was established in March 2021 to honour the legacy of Kingsman Darren Deady from Bolton.
Kingsman Deady served in Afghanistan, where he tragically lost his life after sustaining injuries.
Corporal Jack Stanley, from The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish)died after he was caught in an explosion from an improvised explosive device(IED).
He was just 26-years-old.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Trump’s remarks about British troops in Afghanistan were “insulting and frankly appalling” and signalled the US president should apologise.
The Duke of Sussex also weighed in on the president’s comments, and insisted the “sacrifices” of British soldiers who served and died in Afghanistan “deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect”.
Speaking in Downing Street, Sir Keir paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in Afghanistan, and those who were injured.
He 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.”
Sir Keir said he would apologise if he had said the words used by Mr Trump.
In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, he said: “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.”
She had earlier told the Press Association: “I can assure you, the Taliban didn’t plant IEDs (improvised explosive devices) miles and miles back from the front line.”
Mrs Dernie, whose son Ben suffered horrific injuries when an Army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, also said the US president’s comments were “the ultimate insult” and called on Sir Keir to stand up to Mr Trump over them.
Paratrooper Mr Parkinson, from Doncaster, is widely viewed as the most severely injured British soldier to have survived the war.
The blast left the former lance bombardier in 7 Para RHA with both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage.
Harry, a former Army Air Corps co-pilot gunner who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan, said: “In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first—and only—time in history.
“It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.
“Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters.
“Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.
“Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
The Royal British Legion said the “service and sacrifice of British personnel in Afghanistan cannot be called into question”, and that it condemns “any comments that undermine their extraordinary contribution”.
The charity’s director general Mark Atkinson added: “The dedication and sacrifices of the men and women in the British Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth, and beyond, to protect our freedoms and support our allies deserves our deep and ongoing respect and gratitude.
“Our nation’s support for our Armed Forces is never in doubt.
“The Royal British Legion through our ongoing work to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, ensures that their unique contribution is not forgotten.
“This recognition is shared across communities, cultures, and faiths.”
Defence minister and former commando, Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, said Mr Trump’s comments were “ridiculous”.
The former Royal Marines colonel, without referring to Mr Trump by name, added: “I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home.
“These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting the US, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall.”
The row has again tested the transatlantic relationship, which has come under intense strain following Mr Trump’s threats to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland.
He later backed down after a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in which he said they formed the “framework” for a deal over Arctic security, announcing further import taxes would no longer be imposed.
The UK suffered the second highest number of military deaths – 457 – in the Afghanistan conflict, behind the US, which saw 2,461 deaths.
In total, America’s allies suffered 1,160 deaths in the conflict, around a third of the total coalition deaths.
Mr Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding being conscripted to fight in Vietnam thanks to being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels – a claim that has been subject to significant doubt.
