Donald Trump has issued what could be a final parting shot to the in-trouble Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In a post on his Truth Social media site, Trump accused Sir Keir of failing with his immigration and energy policy. “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” said Trump. “He failed badly on two very important subjects – IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT.”
Trump has repeatedly urged the UK to open up the North Sea for oil instead of using “windmills”. Their initially friendly relationship with the US president has soured significantly in recent months as tensions have continued simmering over Sir Keir’s refusal to allow US forces to use RAF bases in the initial wave of attacks against Iran.
Sir Keir insisted he and Trump “get on really well” when asked by reporters at the G7 summit in France earlier this week why the two did not hold a one-on-one meeting. The US president’s comments come as Sir Keir spends the weekend reflecting on whether to fight or step down amid mounting calls for him to set out a timetable.
Trump appears to be drawing from media reports that the Prime Minister could quit as soon as Monday. He has not spoken to Sir Keir since they saw each other at the G7.
Starmer has vowed not to walk away from his post on Friday, in the immediate aftermath of Andy Burnham winning the Makerfield by-election, but pressure has been mounting over the weekend.
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New UpdatesView PostToday16:16 BST
Donald Trump has been severely critical of Starmer, particularly since the Britih PM’s refusal to join his war in Iran. Today, the US president issued a parting shot to the PM, saying Starmer “will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom” having “failed on two very important subjects.
“He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!),” said Trump in a post on his Truth Social media site.
Signing off his comment, Trump said he wishes Starmer “well”.
Benjamin LynchToday16:16 BST
Trump’s post that Starmer “will” resign appears to be due to media reports swirling around the PM over his future.He is not thought to have spoken to Trump this weekend.
The two met recently at the G7 world leaders summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. A post on social media claimed that when US President Donald Trump arrived at a meeting of world leaders, he did not shake the hand of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.“Donald Trump shook everyone’s hand, except Keir Starmer, then walked off,” the post read. It included a short clip appearing to show the incident.
This is not what videos of the event show. A little before the video posted on social media starts, Sir Keir and Mr Trump did shake hands.
Starmer and Trump at the G7 last week(Image: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)