Starmer dismisses ‘noise’ after Trump says he is considering pulling out of Nato

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will act in the British national interest “whatever the noise” after Donald Trump said he is considering pulling out of Nato.

The US President, who also claimed the UK does not have a navy, has hit out at allies for not joining his war with Iran.

Asked about Mr Trump’s comments on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: “Firstly, Nato is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen, and it has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to Nato.

“Secondly, that whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make.

“And that’s why I’ve been absolutely clear that this is not our war and we’re not going to get dragged into it.”

He later added that there has been “a good deal of pressure on me to change my position in relation to joining the war”, but insisted that he would stand firm.

The Prime Minister told reporters: “I should say that on defence, and security, and intelligence, we are obviously working closely with the US, as we always do.

“And in relation to the planning on the Strait of Hormuz, of course that involves talking to the Americans as well.”

Sir Keir also defended the King going to the US for the 250th anniversary of American independence.

He said: “In relation to the King, I think it’s important to appreciate this is part of the 250 celebrations.

“It’s a long-planned visit, and the US and UK are close allies, have been for a very, very long time.”

Sir Keir declined to say whether there is a moral case for the King to meet the victims of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his visit.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the US president branded Nato a “paper tiger” and said he felt support in the Middle East conflict “should be automatic”.

Asked whether he would reconsider membership of the bloc, Mr Trump said: “Oh yes, I would say (it’s) beyond reconsideration.”

He added: “I was never swayed by Nato.

“I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”

Mr Trump criticised allies for refusing to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has closed for weeks, causing oil and gas prices to spike.

The US president said: “Beyond not being there, it was actually hard to believe. And I didn’t do a big sale. I just said, ‘Hey’, you know, I didn’t insist too much. I just think it should be automatic.

“We’ve been there automatically, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasn’t our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They weren’t there for us.”

Mr Trump rebuked the UK in particular for refusing to get involved in the US-Israeli war against Iran, and suggested the Royal Navy was not ready.

He said: “You don’t even have a navy.

“You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work.”

Asked if the Prime Minister should spend more on defence, Mr Trump said: “I’m not going to tell him what to do.

“He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter.

“All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”