Keir Starmer accused of 'kowtowing' to EU in Brexit betrayal

We can’t be commentators when it comes to matters of peace on our continent. We must lead, and that’s what I’m determined that we will do.”

Before the meeting, he told reporters

We will be more successful in building the European defence sector and contributing more to our own defence if we work together,

he told EU leaders

We are ready to work together in all these ways and more,

he added, in a further appeal for closer ties between Brussels and Britain

This is not about a choice between our allies. Some people make the false argument that we need to choose either America or Europe. For this government, the UK’s national interest is paramount and demands we work with both,

he said

In relation to the US and the EU, or Europe more generally, if you look at our vital interests, it’s really important we work with both and don’t see it as either/or,

he said

The EU is really out of line... it’s an atrocity what they’ve done.

adding:

I am hopeful we can do a deal with President Trump

He told the Mail

Rather than thinking about taking hundreds of thousands more migrants and surrendering our fisheries, he should instead look West to rekindle a trade deal with America

He added

All I would say to Starmer is don't take us back so closely to the EU that you damage our ability to do a trade deal with America, that's my real message."

The Reform UK leader told the Daily Express

First, Ukraine has shown how tech is transforming the battlefield – so it’s vital that we focus more on research and development,

he said

Fifth, we should deepen our industrial collaboration,

he said

That’s why it’s important I always act in the national interest, the best interests of the UK, so we stay resolute in saying that it’s important we work with both sets of partners, particularly in this volatile time.”

Sir Keir said

We are not choosing between them.”

He insisted

Nigel Faragereform UK leader

The EU has invited Keir Starmer to a leaders summit in the very building where Ted Heath signed away our sovereignty in 1972. This is deliberate and humiliating. Starmer has learned nothing from the Brexit vote. It will come back to bite the Labour Party.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage blasted

We need to deepen cooperation to protect ourselves from state threats and sabotage, including on subsea infrastructure.”

He said

Mark RuttenATO Secretary General

There are always issues between allies,

said Rutte

So, back to where I started really, both of these relations are very important to us. We are not choosing between them, but that's historically been the position of the UK for many, many decades now."

But pledging not to prioritise the EU over America, he said

Donald Trumppresident

The UK is way out of line, and we’ll see.”

While President Trump hinted the UK would

Emmanuel Macronfrench President

If we are attacked in terms of trade, Europe - as a true power - will have to stand up for itself and therefore react.

In Brussels, French president Emmanuel Macron told reporters

Now, tonight is very much obviously about security and defence, where I do think there's a very important discussion to be had about how we increase our security and defence work together in a very volatile world,

the PM said