Politics latest: Trump rebukes Starmer again over Iran as repatriation flights head towards Middle East conflict
March 4, 2026 at 07:46 AM
By Holly Evans
The US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders continues
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The US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders continues LiveupdatedNewsUKUK PoliticsPolitics latest The US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders continues Monitor developments in Politics for further updates.
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The US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders conti
The US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders continues
LiveupdatedNewsUKUK PoliticsPolitics latest: Trump rebukes Starmer again over Iran as repatriation flights head towards Middle East conflictThe US president said Sir Keir was ‘not Winston Churchill’ as the rift between the two leaders continues Holly Evans Wednesday 04 March 2026 07:53 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverDonald Trump has taken aim at Sir Keir Starmer again on Tuesday (Getty Images)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreSir Keir Starmer will face questions in the Commons over his decisions on the unfolding Iran conflict, after Donald Trump unleashed fresh criticism of the prime minister.The US president on Tuesday said Sir Keir was “not Winston Churchill” in his latest rebuke of the PM, who did not allow American planes to launch their initial strikes against Tehran from British bases.It comes as the UK government charters a repatriation flight from Oman to help British nationals seeking to escape the Middle East as the conflict in the region escalates. The Foreign Office said the flight will depart the country’s capital, Muscat, at 7pm and is available for British nationals, their partners and children under 18 with a valid travel document.Some 130,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East, as the Foreign Office said it was working with airlines on more routes. HMS Dragon is being readied to depart for the Mediterranean and will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters equipped with so-called “drone busting” Martlet missiles, so it can protect Britain’s bases in Cyprus.Key PointsBritish nationals, partners and children eligible for Oman flightTrump hits out at Starmer over Iran: ‘This is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with’UK sends Royal Navy warship to defend CyprusStarmer has approached conflict with a 'clarity of purpose', minister says A minister has dismissed Donald Trump’s claim that Sir Keir Starmer is no “Winston Churchill”, arguing that the Prime Minister had approached the situation with a “cool head, a real clarity of purpose” and “a determination to do the right thing for the British people”.Asked whether the US president was right to say this, Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told Times Radio: “No, look, President Trump has expressed his disagreement with the decision that we took about joining those initial strikes on Iran over the weekend.“But I think what’s really important when we think about that decision is to recognise that the Prime Minister took the decision he did in the national interest, you know, and he’s approached this with a cool head, with a real clarity of purpose, with a real focus and a determination to do the right thing for the British people.“That’s why we took the decision we did not to join those offensive actions, the initial strikes, a few days ago, but then when it came to a defensive action in order to protect British citizens, we stepped up and made sure that we are doing what we need to do to keep British people safe.”Asked whether he did not think Mr Trump’s remarks were important, he said: “Well, I think, you know, the president has expressed himself using his words, but what’s important for me is that the Prime Minister is taking the right decisions for the UK, and, of course, that the special relationship between the US and the UK continues. You know, we work together with the US, day in, day out.”Holly Evans4 March 2026 07:53UK sends Royal Navy warship to defend Cyprus The Prime Minister meanwhile announced Britain would send HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, to defend Cyprus after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone.The war between Iran and the USA, now in its fifth day, will likely dominate the agenda when Sir Keir enters the Commons at noon on Wednesday for Prime Minister’s Questions.HMS Dragon is being readied to depart for the Mediterranean and will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters equipped with so-called “drone busting” Martlet missiles, so it can protect Britain’s bases in Cyprus.The warship, which is emblaz
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