US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain's stance on the ongoing conflict with Iran, accusing London of being uncooperative and slow in allowing the United States to use a key military base.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration over the time taken to resolve issues related to the use of the British-controlled Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean.
"This is not Winston Churchill that we are dealing with," Trump said, The Times of India reported.
Trump criticises UK stance
Trump said the delay had complicated US military planning.
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"It's taken three, four days, for us to work out where we can land there; it would have been much more convenient landing there as opposed to flying many extra hours, so we are very surprised."
The US president also directed personal criticism at the British prime minister, comparing him unfavourably to Britain's wartime leader Winston Churchill.
"This is not the age of Churchill. I will say the UK has been very, very uncooperative with that stupid island that they have, that they gave away... having to do with, perhaps, indigenous people claiming the island that never even saw the island before. What's that all about? They ruin relationships. It's a shame."
Britain had denied the US permission to conduct strikes from its bases on Saturday, citing international law.
Reaction from political groups
Trump's remarks triggered criticism from some groups in the UK. Hindus for Labour issued a statement rejecting what it described as a harsh attack on the British prime minister.
The group said Starmer must act according to the rule of law, democratic institutions and parliamentary scrutiny. It added that if Trump expects Starmer to follow Churchill's example, then Trump should also show the constitutional restraint of Franklin D. Roosevelt, noting that Roosevelt would not have gone to war in Iran without approval from Congress.
Starmer responds in Parliament
Keir Starmer addressed the issue during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, where he emphasised the importance of lawful military action and careful planning.
"This govt do not believe in regime change from the skies," he told MPs that military action must have a lawful basis and "a viable and "thought-through plan".
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Responding to questions about whether the dispute had affected the US-UK alliance, Starmer pointed to ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
"The American planes are operating out of British bases. British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases. That is the special relationship in action. Hanging on to Trump's latest words is not."
