SIR Keir Starmer’s push for closer defence and security ties with the EU risks blowing up Nato, Nigel Farage has warned.
The PM yesterday opened the door to a new security treaty with Brussels as he hosted 46 European leaders, calling for a total reset in relations.
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But Reform UK boss Mr Farage said US presidency hopeful Donald Trump risked walking away from Nato if the Europeans undermined it with an EU rival.
Mr Farage, who is in the US, said: “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 Nato
Appearing on The Sun’s 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.”
The PM said 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 assassination attempt on the former President.
Sir Keir 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 European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, yesterday, the Prime Minister:
- VOWED to look at offshore processing of illegal migrants despite axing the Rwanda scheme;
- PLEDGED £84million for poorer countries in a bid to stop their citizens flooding into Europe;
- MADE a vow to remain in the controversial European Court of Human Rights.
Sir Keir also used the summit to schmooze 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.
Following the meeting of 46 leaders, he said last night: “We are going to deepen our co-operation. 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 prime minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as with the towering Albanian PM Edi Rama.
He also met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and last night held a private dinner with France’s President Emmanuel Macron. Sir Keir was expected to press him to step up Channel patrols for the £500million Britain is paying him.
Illegal migration was top of the agenda 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 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 Strasbourg’s European Court of Human Rights, which has been blamed for thwarting removal flights under the Conservatives. Sir Keir, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, 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.”
Last night, the Prime Minister 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 in glorious sunshine at the birthplace of Winston Churchill, failed to produce any concrete progress towards a Europe-wide migrants 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 made down the line, Mr Macron said: “This is my point. There is no silver bullet because we do know the situation. We do our best. We did improve the situation during the past few years. 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 boat migrants have crossed the Channel from France this year — including more than 1,000 already on Sir Keir’s watch. He told his guests: “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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As part of the summit, King Charles hosted a reception — where His Majesty spoke to Deputy PM Angela Rayner about England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
Charles called the Three Lions’ 2-1 loss “agonising” and said: “I feel so sorry for the manager, they always get the blame but in fact he actually did a brilliant job.”
The monarch later held a private meeting with PM Sir Keir in the First State Room.
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VOLOD MEETS CABINET
VOLODYMYR Zelensky will brief the Cabinet today to demand weaponry production is ramped up to beat Russia.
The Ukraine leader will sign a major pact at No10 to increase stocks of military hardware to thwart his enemy.
The deal will let Ukraine access £3.5billion of export finance for its military. This is on top of the £3billion-a-year support promised by Sir Keir Starmer at the Nato summit last week.
Sir Keir said last night: “Ukraine is at the heart of this government’s agenda and so it is only fitting that President Zelensky will make a historic address to my Cabinet.”
Ukraine’s leader yesterday urged European leaders to follow Winston Churchill’s example in facing down Russia. He told the Blenheim summit: “Bravery made Churchill Churchill. Bravery won the greatest battle of his life. It was the battle for Britain.”
King Charles was there to shake Mr Zelensky’s hand as he hosted a reception at Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace. Last night, Mr Zelensky went on to meet bosses from defence manufacturers, including BAE Systems, in London to discuss the need to boost industrial production for his country.
It came as the UK joined an international call to action to disrupt Russia’s so-called shadow fleet helping Vladimir Putin dodge sanctions. About 600 ships carry 1.7million barrels of oil a day, propping up the Kremlin war machine.
By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor