Sir Keir Starmer contradicts JD Vance over “infringements on free speech” claim

Sir Keir Starmer has disagreed with JD Vance after the U.S.A. vice president suggested there are “infringements on free speech” in the UK.

During talks in Washington with U.S.A. President Donald Trump, Sir Keir and Trump answered reporters’ questions in the Oval Office on Thursday. JD Vance was present as well, and Trump invited him to elaborate on his claims that free speech is “in retreat” in the UK and Europe, with a “backslide” of rights for religious Britons.

Vance reiterated his statements, asserting that it impacts U.S.A. tech companies and, by extension, American citizens. He remarked: “We do have of course a special relationship with our friends in the UK and also our European allies, but we also know there have been infringements on free speech that affect not just the British - what the British do in their own country is up to them - but also affect American technology companies and by extension, American citizens. So that's something we will talk about at lunch.”

According to ‘Sky News’, Sir Keir interjected, stating, “we've had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that.”

When asked if he disagrees, he replied: “No. I mean, I certainly we wouldn't want to reach across the US and we don't and that's absolutely right. In relation to free speech in the UK. I'm very proud of our history there.”

Sir Keir also spoke up when Trump claimed European nations “get their money back” from aid given to Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.

The prime minister responded: “We're not getting all of ours. I mean, quite a bit of ours was gifted. There were some loans, but mainly, it was gifted actually.”

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously corrected the same claim during a Tuesday Oval Office meeting, placing his hand on Trump’s arm as he did so.

Earlier on Thursday, cabinet minister Steve Reed was asked by reporters whether Sir Keir would follow in Macron’s footsteps to correct the U.S.A. president if he made untrue statements, implying he would not.

Mr. Reed explained during a press gallery lunch in parliament: “I don't think it is for the prime minister on any visit to be fact-checking, as you put it, his host... It's for the British Prime Minister to advocate for the interest of the United Kingdom in a way that is most likely to secure the outcomes that we want.”

Sir Keir’s visit to Washington is focused on discussing his proposal for a U.S.A. security backstop for any Ukraine peace deal.

The meeting commenced with the prime minister presenting the president with an invitation from King Charles for a state visit to the UK.

This precedes a press conference where further details about their discussions on the Ukraine conflict and trade are expected to be unveiled.