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Keir Starmer’s response to Donald Trump’s claims about NATO troops in Afghanistan was ‘more specific and even personal’ than his usual method of dealing with the President, according to an expert
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Starmer ‘appalled’ by Trump’s remarks on UK troops in Afghanistan
Keir Starmer’s response to Donald Trump’s claims that NATO ally troops “stayed a little back, off the front line” in Afghanistan shows he “wants an apology” from the US President, over remarks he slammed as “insulting”, according to an expert.
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street tonight, Starmer blasted Trump’s remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling”. According to an expert, his choice of words “could suggest he’s seeking an apology to restore order.”
Judi James, a body langauge and language expert, spoke to the Mirror about Starmer’s comments tonight, and what his choice of words shows about the evolution, or disintegration, of relations between Starmer and Trump.
Giving his response to Trump’s comments, Starmer said: “Let me start by paying tribute to the 457 of our armed services who lost their lives in Afghanistan. I will never forget their courage, their bravery, and the sacrifice that they made for their country. There are many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries. And so I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling. And I’m not surprised they’ve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed and injured, and in fact across the country.”
Judi explained that tonight’s statement from Starmer “does sound more specific and even personal”, adding: “There are strong words like ‘insulting’ and ‘appalling’ that should leap off the page for Trump, unlike the use of the more emotive ‘such hurt’ which could suggest he’s seeking an apology to restore order.”
Trump made his comments in an interview with Fox News, saying of NATO: “We’ve never needed them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
His comments sparked outrage among veterans and world leaders alike. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marines officer who served five tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross, branded Trump’s remarks “absolutely ridiculous”.
Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when the vehicle he was in struck a landmine, said Starmer has to stand up for British armed forces and refute Trump’s claim. She said: “Call him out. Make a stand for those who fought for this country and for our flag, because it’s just beyond belief.”
Looking at how Starmer and Trump’s relationship has changed, Judi told the Mirror: “Starmer’s meetings with Trump to date have shown Starmer in a more conciliatory mode with an active desire to please and flatter to buff up the ‘special relationship’ . He has shown a desire to define a friendship and enjoys applying his signature arm and shoulder pats to register that.
“This could be his first moment of standing up to Trump to challenge or show public disapproval, but it does come down a path that other leaders have trail-blazed this week, like Macron, Carney and Meloni. They have tested the waters for Starmer and appeared to have been successful as a result.”
Discussing Trump’s potential response to Starmer’s outburst, Judi said: “Trump’s leadership style is very personal and his response to these words in particular should be interesting and telling in terms of the future of the relationship.”
