Boris Johnson at US inauguration (Image: Getty)
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has arrived at Donald Trump’s inauguration following Keir Starmer’s snub from the event.
The Prime Minister was not invited to the swearing-in of the 47th US President although Mr Johnson, former PM Liz Truss and Reform leader Nigel Farage were.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel and Suella Braverman are also in attendance.
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Downing Street dismissed suggestions that past comments made by Cabinet ministers were linked to the lack of UK ministerial attendance at Mr Trump’s inauguration.
Foreign Secretary David Lamy previously referred to the incoming US President as a “neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”.
Asked whether Number 10 thought previous remarks by some senior figures in Government could be the reason why British ministers were not invited, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No, and look, as I say, the UK and US have a deep and special relationship across wide range of important areas.”
The spokesman added that Sir Keir Starmer’s Government wanted to “deepen that relationship” further with Mr Trump’s team.
Asked whether there were concerns that the US could be forming a deeper and more special relationship with Italy, after the country’s premier Giorgia Meloni was invited to Mr Trump’s inauguration, the spokesman said: “No, and you know, ultimately, the UK and US have got a unique relationship when it comes to a wide range of issues.
“And the Prime Minister and president Trump have already had many conversations about, you know, where we can deepen that relationship, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the years to come.”
Asked whether it was a worrying sign that Ms Meloni had been invited, he said: “No. And as I say, when it comes to doing their US relationship, as the Prime Minister has said, for centuries, this relationship has been one collaboration, co-operation and enduring partnership, and that will continue.”
Mr Farage said the Government needs to have a “long, deep, hard think” about how to build bridges with Mr Trump.
The Clacton MP said: “I think this Labour Party appears to be totally at odds with the American administration and I think that the Mayor of London’s comments on the eve of the inauguration were spectacularly unhelpful.”
Over the weekend, London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned in a newspaper editorial that western democracies need to be aware of the rise of “resurgent fascism” as Mr Trump returns to the White House.
Asked if he was still willing to act as a go-between for the UK Government and Mr Trump, Mr Farage said: “Yes. I think it has got rather more difficult. But yes.”
Mr Farage said he feared “the relationship would have been unmendable” if the deal with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands had been completed ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration.
He added: “So at least there is a reprieve there, but I think the British Government need to have a long, deep, hard think.”
