The Huffington Post
Relations between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer are at an all-time low. Donald Trump has launched another attack on Keir Starmer as it emerged the UK will not be involved in his plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz . The US president announced on Sunday that America and “other countries” will stop ships coming in and out of the vital waterway. Around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquid gas supply usually passes through the key shipping lane. But it has been effectively closed since the start of the war, with Iran targeting tankers which try to sail through it unless they agree to pay a toll. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. “Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully “LOCKED AND LOADED,” and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!” However, it is understood the UK will not be part of the US effort, although British mine hunters are already in the area. A government spokesperson would only say: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home. “The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling. We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.” Meanwhile, Trump used an interview with Fox News on Sunday to once again compare Keir Starmer to Hitler-appeasing 1930s prime minister Neville Chamberlain. He said: “Nato is shameful. I mean, look at the United Kingdom. “PM Starmer said ‘we’ll send the equipment after the war is over’. I said ‘you don’t need equipment when the war is over. You need the equipment before the war starts, or during the war’. “He made a public statement that ‘we will send equipment after the war is over’, that’s a Neville Chamberlain statement.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “The UK should be working with other countries to get the US and Iran back to the negotiating table, not fanning the flames of war. “It’s just days since Trump threatened to destroy a whole civilisation, and a return to war would be disastrous. The prime minister needs to work in lock-step with our reliable partners to secure a diplomatic end to this crisis.” Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.
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