‘They’re doing it in their spare time’: Starmer tries to play down rowpublished at 07:17 British Summer Time
Chris Mason
Political editor, travelling with Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sought to play down the significance of alleged interference by the Labour Party in the American presidential election.
Speaking to reporters while flying to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa in the south Pacific, the prime minister said: “The Labour Party has volunteers, [they] have gone over pretty much every election.
“They’re doing it in their spare time. They’re doing it as volunteers. They’re staying I think with other volunteers over there.”
Asked if the row risked jeopardising his relationship with Donald Trump, the prime minister said “no” – pointing to the dinner the two men had together at Trump Tower in New York last month.
“We established a good relationship. We’re grateful for him for making the time… for that dinner,” Sir Keir said.
“We had a good, constructive discussion and, of course as prime minister of the United Kingdom I will work with whoever the American people return as their President in their elections, which are very close now.”
Sir Keir has never met the Vice-President Harris, Trump’s Democratic rival.
But he has met President Biden several times since becoming prime minister in July.