Starmer tribute to fallen British troops after Vance’s perceived slight

Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to British personnel who have died fighting alongside US allies after JD Vance came under fire over a perceived attack on UK troops.

In a unusual move, Sir Keir began Prime Minister’s Questions by highlighting the 642 personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

US vice president Mr Vance faced a backlash after hitting out at the potential for “20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years” monitoring any ceasefire in Ukraine.

The UK and France have promised troops to lead a peacekeeping force – although Mr Vance later insisted he was not referring to them but to other, unnamed, nations.

Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said Thursday will mark 13 years since six young British soldiers were killed on patrol in Afghanistan and 18 years since the death of a Royal Marine in Helmand province.

He added: “These men fought and died for their country, our country. And across the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 642 individuals died fighting for Britain alongside our allies, many more were wounded.

“We will never forget their bravery and their sacrifice, and I know the whole House will join (with) me in remembering them and all those who serve our country.”

Asked why Sir Keir had chosen to begin the session in that way, his official spokesman told reporters: “It’s totally legitimate for the Prime Minister to pay tribute to people who died fighting for this country the day ahead of their anniversary.”

Pushed on whether he would have made the comments without Mr Vance’s intervention, the spokesman said: “You can draw your own conclusions on that.”

Following a backlash from UK MPs and veterans to his comments on Tuesday, Mr Vance claimed it was “absurdly dishonest” to suggest he had been referring to either of the countries.

“I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond,” he said.

“But let’s be direct: there are many countries who are volunteering (privately or publicly) support who have neither the battlefield experience nor the military equipment to do anything meaningful.”

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge described Mr Vance’s initial remarks as “deeply disrespectful” while Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, said they were “unacceptable”.

But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch defended the vice president and Conservatives were ordered to refrain from public attacks.

A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: “The fact is that he didn’t say Britain or France in his original answer and then when he saw that it was being alleged that he had, he came out and clarified that he wasn’t talking about Britain and France.

“And Kemi wants to take the vice president of the USA at his word.”

He added that she asked chief whip Rebecca Harris “to send a text out saying that views don’t necessarily need to be aired on Twitter immediately, this is a time for cool heads”.