'As Good As It Gets': Cabinet Minister Reacts To Trump's Afghanistan Climbdown
Shabana Mahmood said Donald Trump’sclimbdown over his offensive Afghanistan comments is as “good as it gets” – even though the president stopped short of actually apologising.
The US president horrified Nato allies this week by falsely alleging coalition troops had “stayed a little back” from the frontlines in the 20-year conflict.
His claim came amid a wider White House argument that the defence alliance has never supported the States.
Prime minister Keir Starmer publicly urged Trump to apologise for his “insulting and frankly appalling” remarks, and spoke to the American over the phone on Saturday.
According to The Sun, King Charles’ “concern” over Trump’s comments were also passed to the White House.
Late on Saturday, the president tried to row his comments back in a remarkable U-turn.
In a post on TruthSocial, he said: “The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America! In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! ”
While the remarks have been generally welcomed, his lack of apology has not gone unnoticed, as Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips put it to the home secretary.
He said: “The one word that doesn’t seem be there, which is ‘sorry’. Is this apology good enough?”
Mahmood replied: ’I think it’s a recognition that what was said initially was deeply offensive, it was really insulting to the memories of our brave soldiers who gave their lives in the conflict, who came to the aid of the US after Nato’s Article 5 was invoked.
“I think it’s really affected everyone in the country to see the contribution and the sacrifice of our brave armed forces personnel denigrated in that way.
“I do welcome the most recent tweet because it is a recognition of the contribution and the sacrifice that’s been made.”
“The president has his way,” she said, before pointing out how Starmer raised the issue with Trump during their phone call on Saturday.
Mahmood added: “I think this was a response to that. With the president, I suspect this is as good as it gets.”
Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said Trump’s words show he clearly recognises that his words were “wrong”.
Speaking to Sky, she said: “He said it. And the wider reality is that he has to think carefully about making future statements in such a fickle way. That was just wrong and appalling.”