US-UK relationship the same ‘operationally’, despite Trump comments – ministerpublished at 08:09 GMT
08:09 GMT
This morning, new comments from Donald Trump have been released by the Sun – in which the US president says the US relationship with the UK is “obviously not what it was”.
Now the Chief
Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, says the relationship “remains important”.
“I
understand the president has not been satisfied that we were not involved with
the first wave of strikes,” he tells BBC Breakfast.
However, Jones says the UK “will only commit British armed
forces when there is a legal basis to do so, a clear plan of action and when it
is in the interest of our country”.
He adds that the US-UK relationship “operationally” remains the same, as their militaries are continuing to work closely together “right now”.
“I recognise the president has taken a different view… but as I say our military
personnel are collaborating now in the interest of British citizens in the
region,” he adds.
“That’s a
reflection of our special relationship, working as the public would expect us
to.”
As a reminder, the UK initially said the US couldn’t use British bases for strikes on Iran – then said they could be used for “defensive” strikes.