Furious grieving relatives of British troops killed in action have angrily hit out at JD Vance over his “unbelievably offensive” outburst about the UK military’s recent past.
US President Donald Trump’s right-hand man was accused of “disrespecting” British and even French forces by belittling their proposed peace-keeping force in Ukraine. One grieving mother who lost her son in Afghanistan branded Vance an “offensive clown” and said she was “beyond angry” with the American Vice President. Vance was referring to a peacekeeping mission, which has only been agreed to by the UK and France, claiming only America could make Ukraine safe.
Even though he rowed back on his outburst later he said: “…if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine. “That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
Mum Chris Harrison, 69, whose hero son Cpl Darren Bonner, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in Afghanistan aged 31 in 2007, stormed: “I would have punched him in the face.
“I was already angry over the way he treated President Zelensky so shabbily in the infamous Oval meeting, not interjecting when a reporter demanded to know why he was not in a suit. Zelensky could have turned up with a sack on his back and still been a dignified hero – twice the man Vance is.
“But this latest comment by Vance disrespects the sacrifice of soldiers like my Darren and all of the other British heroes who gave their lives. I am so angry with him. He’s a disgrace.”
Other families added to the storm, along with political figures and war veterans, even though Vance tried to deny he was insulting the UK, claiming the suggestion he was referring to those two allies is “absurdly dishonest”. He added: “I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond.” The UK and France are the only countries to have pledged troops to a potential peacekeeping force.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said: “The PM and I think the whole country is full of admiration for all British troops who have served for instance in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom have lost their lives in the process and fought obviously alongside allies including the United States.”
But other relatives rejected diplomacy and branded Vance’s outburst a “disgusting” slur. Reg Keys, whose Royal British Military Police son Tom was killed in Iraq in 2008, said: “Mr Vance needs to put his brain into gear before he opens his mouth.
“His comments are abominable and an insult to my brave son, who lost his life serving his country just four days short of his 21st birthday. I feel the loss of my son every single hour of every single day. Who does this guy think he is? Tom went to war for his country and served with excellence and honour. It is a disgusting insult to his memory to say we haven’t fought in a war for 30 or 40 years. This guy needs to grow up and stop being a bully.”
Sarah Adams, whose son Private James Prosser, of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, said: “How dare a little man called JD Vance insult the wonderful British soldiers who sacrificed everything for their country? His disgusting comments have made my blood boil. James, like many others in recent years, gave everything for his country. I watched in horror when this pair of bullies, Vance and Trump, tried to humiliate Zelensky a few days ago. Now Vance has surpassed even that with these shocking and outrageous comments about us being a random country that hasn’t fought a war for 30 or 40 years. What planet are they on?
“It was Trump who effectively pulled our brave soldiers out of Afghanistan in 2018, so how can his vice president forget we were there alongside them? It is a vile insult to all our military personnel.” Mrs Adams, who was made an MBE for her services to the armed forces and their families, added: “I feel badly let down by Vance’s comments and I’m sure I speak for everyone who has lost a loved one in war in recent times.”
David Godfrey, 79, of Cullompton, Devon, who lost his grandson Rifleman Daniel Coffey, of 2 Rifles, in Iraq in 2007 at the age of just 21, said he was “appalled.” He said: “To hear his words is incredibly painful. “Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan fought very closely alongside the Americans and he should not forget that. The vice-president should have a lot more respect for those who lost their lives, those who lost limbs and those who struggle dealing with what they went through today. It is an insult to all their memories. It is an insult to everyone who lost their lives – not just my grandson Daniel’s memory but to every other member of the armed forces who gave so much and. It is really upsetting to hear and speaking about it now has brought it all back. Daniel is still in everyone’s hearts and minds and always will be.”
The mother of the 200th British soldier to die in Afghanistan was left “absolutely furious” at JD Vance. Hazel Hunt, 65, lost her son Richard in August 2009 when he died from wounds while fighting in Helmand Provence. Richard of Abergavenny, South Wales, was a Private in the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and was a sniper and driver when he died after an explosion while on a vehicle patrol.
Mum Hazel later set up the Welsh Warrior charity (The Richard Hunt Foundation) to raise funds for other injured soldiers. She said Vance was “incredibly rude and incredibly ignorant” and that she would like to give him a “smack around the ear.” She said: “I was incandescent when I read what he has said.
“It is an absolute insult to us as relatives of those who had fought and died and paid the ultimate price for what we thought at the time was a noble cause.” She said Vance’s comments were “a real kick in the teeth” and that “this shows how dangerous the situation is”.
On Vance’s attempt to backtrack and claiming he had “not mentioned” Britain or France, Hazel said: “To date only Britain and France have volunteered to send peacekeeping troops, so to whom else was that utterly ignorant remark supposed to be aimed?” It shows how utterly ignorant he is. He needs to learn his history as it is an insult to two of America’s closest friends.”
Hazel described Vance and President Trump’s Oval Office with Ukraine President Zelensky was a “bully boy act”. She said: “I have never seen such a disgusting and appalling act of ambush in such high office.
“Their behaviour was appalling and it was quite obviously set up to be an ambush. They should stick to business because in politics you need some diplomacy and they have zero. They are playground bullies.” Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said Nato Article 5 – which says if one Nato ally is attacked all members will consider it an act of violence – has been invoked once by the USA after 9/11. He said: “Great Britain & France came to their aid deploying 1,000s of personnel to Afghanistan, including my own brother & numerous parliamentary colleagues, past & present.
“It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service & sacrifice.” Ex Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: “Serving with the USA & France were defining moments of my military career… Sad to hear the relationship reduced to this.” Former British Army Officer and Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: “The disrespect shown by the new US Vice President to the sacrifices of our service personnel is unacceptable.”
Labour MP David Taylor said: “This great nation has proudly fought shoulder to shoulder with our US allies, with 457 service men and women killed defending freedom in Afghanistan alone. “These shameful remarks will never undo their sacrifice or the gratitude we have for their defence of British values.”
Liberal Democrat Defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire, a former Captain in the Royal Military Police, said: “JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder. Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality. As the UK’s representative to the US, Peter Mandelson should call on Vance to apologise for these comments.”
