Keir Starmer’s security deal with Brussels could destroy NATO – Trump would pull out, Farage claim
SIR Keir Starmer’s push for closer defence and security ties with the EU risks blowing up NATO, Nigel Farage has warned.
Yesterday the Prime Minister opened the door to a new security treaty with Brussels as he hosted 46 European leaders, calling for a total reset in relations.
But the Reform boss said likely next US President Donald Trump risked walking away from NATO if the Europeans undermined it with an EU rival.
He told The Sun: “Anything that takes us closer to a European Defence Union is a massive strategic mistake.
“If you want America to walk away, get close to the European Union. You cannot have two military command centres based in Brussels.”
'Unshakeable' commitment to Nat
Appearing on Never Mind the Ballots, he added: “No man can serve two masters so I would warn Starmer, that we need to be very, very careful indeed.”
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The PM insisted yesterday he had an “unshakeable” commitment to Nato and forging closer ties with the US.
He revealed he discussed the “special relationship” with Donald Trump when he rang last week following the attempted assassination attempt on the former President.
He said: “That is what I mean about maturity and leadership, not just within Europe but more widely and, of course, with the US.”
But he also said the time had come to pursue closer ties with the EU after years of Brexit wrangling.
Hosting the major summit yesterday, the PM:
- VOWED to look at offshore processing of illegal migrants despite axing the Rwanda scheme just days ago.
- PLEDGED £84million for poorer countries in a gambit to stop their citizens flooding into Europe
- MADE a cast-iron pledge to remain in the controversial European Court of Human Rights
Sir Keir yesterday used the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace to love-bomb his continental counterparts.
In a gear-shift on the arms-length approach taken by successive Brexiteer Tories, he declared a total “reset” on Anglo-European relations.
Speaking last night following the meeting of 46 leaders, he said: “So we are going to deepen our cooperation. On defence and security, and on illegal migration, where we are resetting our approach and that’s been central today.”
He was seen making friends with Italian firebrand Giorgia Meloni, as well as with the towering Albanian PM Edi Rama.
He also held a private dinner with Emmanuel Macron last night and was expected to press him to step up Channel patrols for the £500million Britain is paying him.
Illegal migration was top of the agenda at the sun-kissed Blenheim Palace yesterday as Sir Keir declared it a full-blown “crisis”.
I’m a practical person, I’m a pragmatist and I’ve always said we’ll look at what works
Keir Starmer on using third countries for migrant processing to deter crossings
Despite scrapping the “gimmick” Rwanda plan upon entering No10 two weeks ago, he opened the door to using third countries to deter crossings.
The idea of offshore processing is gaining traction across Europe and is already being used by Italy.
Sir Keir said: “I’m a practical person, I’m a pragmatist and I’ve always said we’ll look at what works.
“And where cases can be processed closer to origin, then that is something which of course ought to be looked at.”
However he also ruled out unshackling Britain from the Strasbourg Court which has been blamed for thwarting removal flights under the Conservatives.
The former top prosecutor said: “We will approach this issue with humanity and with a profound respect for international law.
“And that’s why we scrapped the unworkable Rwanda scheme on day one. And it’s why we will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.”
He even brought the Treaty of London - a secret agreement between neutral Italy and the Allied forces to bring Italy into World War I - to be displayed at the Palace.
Last night the PM announced an £84million foreign aid boost for African and Middle Eastern nations to prevent people fleeing into small boats.
He insisted paying to improve living standards in these nations of origin is a price worth paying to stop migrants making the perilous journey to Europe.
'No silver bullet'
He said: “We are facing up to the huge problems beyond our shores, because these problems echo at home. The effects play out on our streets and in a dangerous world we serve no one and solve nothing by turning inwards.”
The summit - held at the birthplace of Winston Churchill in glorious sunshine - failed to produce any concrete progress towards a Europe-wide returns deal.
We do our best. It is obviously always a very delicate humanitarian situation, so our willingness is constantly to improve the situation
President Macron on a returns deal for migrants
Asked if an agreement could be on the cards down the line, President Macron said: “This is my point. There is no silver bullet because we do know the situation.
“We do our best. It is obviously always a very delicate humanitarian situation, so our willingness is constantly to improve the situation.”
But officials reported a strong intention among leaders across the political spectrum to continue dialogue to find a way forward.
Sir Keir pleaded with his counterparts to work together and “set a new path” towards smashing the “criminal empires” that trade on human misery.
At least 14,759 small boats have crossed the channel this year, a rise of 13,774 on the same time in 2023.
More than 1,000 migrants have made the journey from France on his watch.
Sir Keir said: “As we speak, as we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today, profiting off human misery and desperation, prepared to send infants, babies, pregnant mothers, innocent people to their deaths.
“And last week four more souls were lost in the waters of the English Channel, a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade.”
He added: “Britain will be a friend and a partner, ready to work with you. Not part of the European Union but very much part of Europe.”
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UK Border Force ships yesterday helped return a migrant boat to Calais after it got into difficulty in French waters.
It sparked hopes of a breakthrough that Britain is now able to turn back dinghies in France’s Channel territory.
But the Home Office insisted this was only a case-by-case operational decision to rescue a boat rather than a change of policy.
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A Conservative spokesman said: “The fact remains that without a deterrent people will continue to attempt making these dangerous crossings and attempt to break the rules and enter the UK illegally.
“It’s not helped by Yvette Cooper announcing that she’s fast tracking 90,000 asylum applications because she ended our Rwanda partnership.”
