Starmer says it was ‘insulting and, frankly, appalling’ for Trump to indicate Nato allies didn’t battle correctly in Afghanistan
Keir Starmer has condemned Donald Trump’s declare that Nato allies did no correctly battle alongside the US in Afghanistion. In a pooled clip that has simply been broadcast, he sounded genuinely offended.
Starmer stated:
Let me begin by paying tribute to 457 of our armed companies who misplaced their lives in Afghanistan.
I’ll always remember their braveness, their bravery and the sacrifice that they made for his or her nation.
There are lots of additionally who had been injured, some with life-changing accidents.
And so I contemplate President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and, frankly, appalling.
And I’m not stunned they brought about such damage to the family members of those that had been killed or injured, and in reality throughout the nation.
Key occasions
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Labour’s Andrew Gwynne resigns as MP, triggering byelection in Gorton and Denton
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Starmer’s feedback on Trump – snap verdict
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Starmer says it is very important preserve shut relationship with US
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Starmer suggests Trump ought to apologise for his remark, significantly to family members of these killed or injured in Afghanistan
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Starmer says it was ‘insulting and, frankly, appalling’ for Trump to indicate Nato allies didn’t battle correctly in Afghanistan
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White Home declines to retract, or apologise for, what Trump stated about report of Nato allies in Afghanistan
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Starmer advised he’ll present his ‘weak spot’ if he doesn’t rebuke Trump in public over slur about UK’s position in Afghanistan
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Farage says Trump’s remark about position performed by Nato allies in Afghanistan ‘flawed’
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Residence Workplace plans for police reform reveals why energy over policing needs to be devolved to Wales, Plaid Cymru says
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Privatisation not the issue for England’s water, says creator of overview
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‘Simply flawed’ – Yvette Cooper hits again at Trump
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Trump’s feedback ‘completely unacceptable and deeply disrespectful’, says former Tory overseas secretary Jeremy Hunt
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Shabana Mahmood to unveil plans drastically reduce variety of police forces in England and Wales
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No 10 says Trump was ‘flawed to decrease position’ performed by British troops in Afghanistan
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US ambassador needs to be summoned for reprimand over Trump’s feedback, Lib Dems say
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John Healey delivers implicit rebuke to Trump, saying greater than 450 British ‘heroes’ died in Afghanistan
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Letting Labour HQ rig candidate choice in Manchester byelection can be ‘catastrophe’, says Purple Wall MPs’ chief
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Unison chief urges Starmer to not block Burnham from being byelection candidate, saying ‘control-freakery’ harms celebration
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Defence minister Al Carns calls Trump’s claims about Nato’s report in Afghanistan ‘totally ridiculous’
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Rural and coastal areas of England to get extra most cancers medical doctors
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Badenoch says Trump’s remark about report of Nato allies in Afghanistan ‘flat-out nonsense’
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‘Makes my flesh creep and my abdomen flip’ – Simon Hoare MP on Trump
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‘Beneath contempt and past offensive’ – Sorcha Eastwood MP on Trump
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Trump’s claims about Nato in Afghanistan ‘disappointing and flawed’, minister says
Labour’s Andrew Gwynne resigns as MP, triggering byelection in Gorton and Denton
The Labour MP Andrew Gwynne has formally resigned from parliament. Which means the Gorton and Denton byelection is unquestionably on.
Right here is our newest story concerning the contest, written earlier than the resignation was confirmed.
In regular nations, MPs merely resign however, Britain being a spot that likes its custom, it doesn’t work fairly like that right here. The announcement has come from the Treasury, which says: “The Chancellor of the Exchequer has this present day appointed Andrew John Gwynne to be Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.” Within the outdated days being steward of the Manor of Northstead was an workplace of revenue below the crown, which meant holding the publish was incompatible with being an MP. The job has lengthy since gone, however making use of for it (or steward of the Chiltern A whole lot) stays the mechanism by which MPs resign.
Right here is the Starmer clip.
Sir Keir Starmer has stated Donald Trump’s declare that British troops didn’t serve on the frontline in Afghanistan was “insulting and albeit appalling”.
He steered that the US president ought to apologise.
Newest https://t.co/fu9XJYD8Rd
Sky 501, Virgin 602 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/TAls70GjnH
— Sky Information (@SkyNews) January 23, 2026
Starmer’s feedback on Trump – snap verdict
He received there in the long run. Different prime ministers with a terrific capability for danger, or extra confidence of their means to channel public opinion, would have been out in entrance of the cameras far more rapidly to ship a whacking to Donald Trump. Even Nigel Farage received his (relatively feeble) criticism out by mid afternoon. However after they got here, Keir Starmer’s phrases had been highly effective and spectacular – far stronger than something he has ever stated about Donald Trump earlier than, and doubtless among the best TV clips he has ever delivered.
Starmer has an uncle who served within the Falklands struggle, on a ship that was sunk. He has spent most of his life with attorneys, not troopers, however his outrage at Trump’s (seemingly intentional) insult to British servicemen and ladies who fought in Afghanistan came to visit as completely genuine. A part of the job of being PM is to talk out on essential issues on behalf of the nation. This afternoon at the least, Starmer earned his cash.
This doesn’t imply that Starmer goes to go the complete Mark Carney, or Emmanuel Macron. His last reply within the TV clip made that clear. (See 4.36pm.) Even this week, Starmer has been dedicated to preserving the Atlantic alliance, not writing its obituary or establishing its substitute.
However after as we speak he could realise that there’s extra to be gained by pushing again towards the White Home monster than he maybe realised. Saying what you truly assume; it may be a liberation.
Starmer says it is very important preserve shut relationship with US
In his pooled interview, Keir Starmer was additionally “getting a bit exasperated” by a number of the feedback Donald Trump has been making. The interviewer, Jon Craig from Sky Information, identified that Starmer has needed to distance himself from or criticise a number of issues Trump has been saying not too long ago.
Starmer replied:
Now we have a really shut relationship with the US. And that’s essential for our safety, for our defence, and our intelligence. And it is vitally essential we preserve that relationship.
However is it due to that relationship that we fought alongside the Individuals, for our values, in Afghanistan.
And it was in that context that individuals misplaced their lives or suffered horrible accidents, preventing for freedom, preventing with our allies, for what we imagine in.
Starmer suggests Trump ought to apologise for his remark, significantly to family members of these killed or injured in Afghanistan
In his pooled interview Keir Starmer was then advised concerning the mom of a serviceman who suffered dreadful accidents in Afghanistan who needed Starmer to be harder with Donald Trump, and to demand an apology. Requested if he would demand an apology, Starmer replied:
Nicely, I’ve made my place clear.
What I’d say to [the mother] is, if I had misspoken in that manner, or stated these phrases, I will surely apologise, and I’d apologise to her.
Starmer says it was ‘insulting and, frankly, appalling’ for Trump to indicate Nato allies didn’t battle correctly in Afghanistan
Keir Starmer has condemned Donald Trump’s declare that Nato allies did no correctly battle alongside the US in Afghanistion. In a pooled clip that has simply been broadcast, he sounded genuinely offended.
Starmer stated:
Let me begin by paying tribute to 457 of our armed companies who misplaced their lives in Afghanistan.
I’ll always remember their braveness, their bravery and the sacrifice that they made for his or her nation.
There are lots of additionally who had been injured, some with life-changing accidents.
And so I contemplate President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and, frankly, appalling.
And I’m not stunned they brought about such damage to the family members of those that had been killed or injured, and in reality throughout the nation.
Connor Naismith, the Labour MP who represents Crewe and Nantwich within the north-west of England, says he doesn’t need his celebration to forestall Andy Burnham from making use of to be its candidate within the Gorton and Denton byelection.
Gorton and Denton deserves the absolute best alternative of candidates. I agree with the Prime Minister that our consideration needs to be on delivering for the general public, not speculating about future management contests. Any choice made to restrict the selection can be flawed.
However he additionally doesn’t need extra management hypothesis (which might be the inevitable penalties of Burnham being a candidate), so there’s some blended messaging occurring right here.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative chief, and Ed Davey, the Lib Dem chief, have each recorded TV clips criticising Donald Trump’s remark concerning the report of Nato allies in Afghanistan. In hers, Badenoch stated Trump was speaking “absolute nonsense”.
Doug Beattie desires to see Keir Starmer on digicam saying this too. (See 3.33pm.)
White Home declines to retract, or apologise for, what Trump stated about report of Nato allies in Afghanistan
The White Home has refused to retract, or apologise, for what Donald Trump stated concerning the contribution made by America’s allies to the battle in Afghanistan.
In line with a BBC report, when Anna Kelly, the deputy press secretary on the White Home, was requested to answer what No 10 and politicians within the UK are saying about Trump’s remark being offensive and flawed, she didn’t deal with this level. As an alternative she simply stated:
President Trump is true – America’s contributions to Nato dwarf that of different nations, and his success in delivering a 5% spending pledge from Nato allies helps Europe take larger accountability for its personal protection.
The USA is the one Nato accomplice who can defend Greenland, and the president is advancing Nato pursuits in doing so.
Starmer advised he’ll present his ‘weak spot’ if he doesn’t rebuke Trump in public over slur about UK’s position in Afghanistan
Doug Beattie, the previous Ulster Unionist chief and former military captain who received the Navy Cross for his service in Afghanistan, has stated that it’s not sufficient for Keir Starmer to only get his spokesperson to say that Donald Trump’s Nato remark was flawed. (See 11.58am.) Beattie stated he needed to listen to Starmer condemn what the president stated himself, in public.
In an interview with Fox Information, Beattie stated:
Individuals want to know that it was the US which invoked article 5 of the Nato constitution and it was different nations that got here to the decision and in doing so in Afghanistan, misplaced 1000’s of their younger women and men killed and injured, the UK misplaced 457 killed in motion, however over 2,200 had been wounded in motion.
Of these greater than 600 had been critically injured, together with my good good friend Andy Allen, who misplaced each legs and most of his eyesight on the entrance line preventing towards a brutal regime which was the Taliban.
The president has insulted him, he has insulted me and he has insulted many different individuals who served in Afghanistan …
[Starmer] wants to carry the president to job and he must make that public.
If he doesn’t, he’ll present his absolute weak spot and his lack of ability to face up for these women and men who gave a lot in Afghanistan on the behest of the US.
Earlier Beattie stated Trump was “unhinged”. (See 9.11am.)
Farage says Trump’s remark about position performed by Nato allies in Afghanistan ‘flawed’
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK chief, has now commented on Donald Trump’s newest remark concerning the Nato contribution in Afghanistan. In a publish on social media, he stated:
Donald Trump is flawed. For 20 years our armed forces fought bravely alongside America’s in Afghanistan.
Farage additionally included a clip of what he stated at Davos on Wednesday about Trump being flawed to say in his speech that afternoon that Nato by no means contributed something to the US.
Residence Workplace plans for police reform reveals why energy over policing needs to be devolved to Wales, Plaid Cymru says
Shabana Mahmood, the house secretary, is because of announce main plans to reorganise police forces in England and Wales on Monday. However, consistent with current observe when the Residence Workplace has received massive coverage to unveil, the briefing has already began. The define of the plans are already out. (See 12.07pm.)
Listed below are some extra feedback on what’s deliberate.
Chris Philp, the shadow residence secretary, stated making police forces greater received’t essentially reduce crime.
High-down reorganisation dangers undermining efforts to battle crime, inevitably resulting in centralised management that can hit cities and villages throughout the nation hardest.
The most important drive, the Met, has the bottom crime fixing charges and falling police numbers. Huge will not be essentially higher.
The Police Federation of England and Wales accepts there’s a downside with the present preparations, however is fearful reorganisation shall be used to chop prices. A spokesperson stated:
Policing’s present construction has entrenched a postcode lottery in what the general public see but additionally how officers are led, supported and handled.
Fewer forces doesn’t assure extra or higher policing for communities. Abilities, capabilities and gear want important funding if the general public and officers are going to see reform ship in the actual world.
Any proposals should be pushed by proof and greatest observe, not lowest value, and should strengthen relatively than weaken frontline, investigative and specialist functionality, neighbourhood policing and public confidence.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru chief at Wales, stated her celebration desires energy over policing coverage in Wales devolved to the Senedd. She stated:
The proposed reorganisation of policing in Wales is being pushed from Westminster, with little regard for Wales’ geography, communities, language or social wants. Selections that can basically reshape public companies in Wales are as soon as once more being taken with out Wales having the facility to determine for itself.
If policing buildings in Wales are to alter, these selections should be made in Wales, by establishments accountable to the individuals of Wales. A one-size-fits-all method imposed from Westminster dangers weakening native accountability and distancing policing from the communities it serves.
The Liberal Democrats are happy with their win within the Cotswolds council byelection. (See 2.33pm.) It’s within the North Cotswolds constituency the place the Conservative Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has been MP in that seat, and in its predecessor seats, since 1992. On the final election Clifton-Brown had a majority of three,357 over the Lib Dems.
A Lib Dem supply stated:
The writing is on the wall for Conservative MPs in marginal seats like this because the Tory vote continues to break down. Kemi Badenoch remains to be chasing Reform and taking her celebration additional to the fitting in a determined to cease extra defections, alienating hundreds of thousands of former Conservative voters within the course of.
Privatisation not the issue for England’s water, says creator of overview
The privatisation of water in England will not be the explanation for its failings, Sir Jon Cunliffe, the architect of the federal government’s water plan has stated, as he warned there was nobody “easy answer” comparable to nationalisation. Helena Horton has the story.
There have been 5 council byelections final night time. As normal, Election Maps UK have the outcomes.
Reform UK gained a seat from Labour in Wales.
Leeswood (Flintshire) Council By-Election End result:
RFM: 22.3% (New)
Ind: 19.2% (-5.6)
Ind: 18.8% (+4.3)
LAB: 12.1% (-48.5)
FPV: 11.0% (New)
LDM: 9.5% (New)
CON: 4.7% (New)
Ind: 2.4% (New)Reform GAIN from Labour.
Modifications w/ 2022.— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) January 23, 2026
The Lib Dems gained a seat from the Greens within the Cotswolds.
The Rissingtons (Cotswolds) Council By-Election End result:
LDM: 37.5% (New)
CON: 31.3% (-11.5)
RFM: 25.8% (New)
GRN: 5.5% (-51.7)Liberal Democrat GAIN from Inexperienced.
Modifications w/ 2023.— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) January 23, 2026
The Conservatives held two seats, in Norfolk and Cheshire.
Central Wymondham (South Norfolk) Council By-Election End result:
CON: 31.1% (-4.6)
GRN: 25.9% (-3.7)
RFM: 20.7% (+15.1)
LDM: 12.0% (New)
LAB: 10.4% (-18.8)Conservative HOLD.
Modifications w/ 2023.— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) January 23, 2026
Willaston & Thornton (Cheshire West & Chester Council By-Election End result:
CON: 53.8% (-7.1)
LAB: 17.2% (-9.3)
RFM: 16.1% (New)
LDM: 7.1% (+2.4)
GRN: 5.8% (-2.2)Conservative HOLD.
Modifications w/ 2023.— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) January 23, 2026
And the SNP held a seat in Fife.
Glenrothes West and Kinglassie (Fife) By-Election End result [1st Prefs]:
SNP: 44.3% (-5.3)
RFM: 27.5% (New)
LAB: 15.7% (-16.8)
CON: 6.9% (-4.7)
LDM: 4.7% (+0.9)
SFP: 0.9% (New)No Ind (-2.6) as earlier.
SNP HOLD.
Modifications w/ 2022.— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) January 23, 2026
Lord Dannatt, who was head of the military between 2006 and 2009, has stated that Donald Trump’s remark about Nato allies’ conduct in Afghanistan is “manifestly not true”.
In an interview, Dannatt stated:
I couldn’t imagine after I heard this report yesterday that the person may very well be, frankly, so silly and so outrageous as to make these feedback …
The one clarification I can provide is that this tumultuous week that began together with his land seize of Greenland and completed up with him reaching relatively lower than he needed … he determined to chuck a number of hand grenades with a purpose to divert consideration from his lower than profitable week.
‘Simply flawed’ – Yvette Cooper hits again at Trump
Yvette Cooper, the present overseas secretary, has posted this message on a tweet reposting Al Carns’ message to Donald Trump. (See 10.49am.)
Proud to have @AlistairCarns as our Armed Forces Minister.
British & NATO troops fought facet by facet with our American buddies in Afghanistan. To counsel in any other case is simply flawed.
Our entire nation honours their braveness and sacrifice and we honour and respect that of our allies.
Trump’s feedback ‘completely unacceptable and deeply disrespectful’, says former Tory overseas secretary Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt, the previous Tory overseas secretary, has advised Radio 4’s the World at One which Donald Trump’s remark about Nato allies in Afghanistan was “completely unacceptable, factually flawed, and deeply disrespectful to the households whose family members paid the last word worth”.
Hunt stated that, by way of the proportion of troops who died, British losses in Afghanistan had been even greater than US losses. “We had been in some of the harmful areas, Helmand,” Hunt stated. “And in order that that’s that’s what makes it even worse – it’s simply plain flawed.”
Requested if he thought the federal government ought to cancel the king’s state go to to the US later this 12 months within the mild of Trump’s remark, Hunt stated this was a troublesome choice. However he additionally stated that, “regardless of excessive provocation”, it was essential for Britain to keep up good relations with Washington, to not abandon the Atlantic alliance and to “preserve America locked in to the defence of Europe”.
The SNP has stated that Keir Starmer shall be “appearing like some form of tin-pot dictator” if he blocks Andy Burnham from being a candidate within the Gorton and Denton byelection. (See 11.05am.) In a press release, Pete Wishart, the SNP’s deputy chief at Westminster, stated:
It reeks of desperation that the prime minister is having to sew up a variety course of to cling onto energy – and underlines the chaos within the bitterly divided Labour celebration.
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