Zelensky has arrived in Downing Street on his first stop of a Europe-wide tour. He gets a hug from Starmer. NATO secretary general Mark Rutte is also there for his first visit to the UK in the new gig…
There’s no word from No 10 on whether Storm Shadow missiles will be discussed – only reassurances that Britain’s support for Ukraine is “iron-clad.“ Seeing as the point of Zelensky’s tour is to drum up support for more weapons, you’d hope it would be…
The Times today sets out a somewhat light touch and sanitised run down of Starmer’s complex and revealing legal career – during which Sir Keir frequently blurred the line between representation and political campaigning. It includes tough material such as interviews with his best friends at the bar. Guido brings you the full goods…
Let’s begin with his role in a 2004 case which involved the attempted sabotage of NATO jets at an RAF base on the eve of the invasion of Iraq. Starmer acted for one of the defendants:
“The defendant was discovered at 0210hrs on the 18th March 2003 just outside the perimeter fence of RAF Fairford close to where a section of the perimeter fence had recently been cut. He was in possession of a rucksack in which petrol and washing-up liquid was found mixed together, which he said were intended to set fire to the wheels of a bomber. He stated that he had intended to take this action in order to stop a crime in that the bombers were taking part in an illegal war.”
Starmer acted for the saboteur during his appeal, mounting an argument that the Iraq War was potentially justiciable in UK courts – therefore claiming those accused of criminal damage could rely on domestic defences such as necessity. It’s an example of the human rights sophistry which is about to dominate British public debate…
A Labour spokesman is saying of Starmer’s legal record: “In this country, everyone is entitled to a defence. A lawyer can no sooner choose who they represent than a doctor can choose their patients.” If you have cancer you go to an oncologist, if you have a bad heart you go to a cardiologist, if you’re an anti-NATO direct action group you go to Sir Keir Starmer…
A prickly Ben Wallace has told Ukraine to show “gratitude” to its Western allies for their continued support in the war effort, after President Zelenskyy expressed disappointment at NATO’s reluctance to fast-track Ukraine’s membership to the alliance this week. Speaking to reporters in Vilnius today, the Defence Secretary vented his frustration, insisting Britain is “not Amazon” despite its backing against Russian aggression:
“Sometimes you have to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America, you have to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that, you know, that is worth it, that it is worthwhile and that they are getting something for it. And whether you like it or not, that’s the reality of it… Sometimes you would hear grumbles not from the administration in the American system, but you would hear them from lawmakers on the Hill … We’ve given $83 billion worth or whatever, we are not Amazon… I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list… There’s a slight word of caution here which is, whether you like it or not people want to see gratitude…”
An unusually testy statement, especially from the Defence Secretary of a country that often touts its “unwavering support”…
UPDATE: Rishi says Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have shown gratitude after all:
“I know him and his people are incredibly grateful for the support the UK has shown, the welcome we’ve provided to many Ukrainian families, and the leadership we’ve shown throughout this conflict…”
He didn’t have much to say about Wallace’s “Amazon” jibe…
Ben Wallace has admitted what just about everyone in SW1 already suspected: he’s eyeing up Jens Stoltenberg’s job as NATO Secretary General. Stoltenberg is due to step down in September, with NATO states set to appoint his successor soon. Now Wallace has made it clear he’s thinking of giving it a go…
Speaking to German news agency DPA in Berlin this afternoon, Wallace said:
“I’ve always said it would be a good job. That’s a job I’d like. But I’m also loving the job I do now. I mean, to be Defence Secretary of the British Government at a time of reform and investment, just like Boris Pistorius… [NATO General Secretary] is a fantastic job and Nato is an incredibly important part of all our securities.”
Taking the job in September would lead to a by-election in his Wyre and Preston North constituency. Although that’s being chopped up at the next election anyway…
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave a traditionally forthright set of interviews this morning, at one point describing allegations that NATO has asked Germany to remain in charge of their rapid-reaction force due to UK forces being overstretched as “just bollocks”. Not often you hear that on BBC Breakfast…
The claim was first made by Table.Media, a German media outlet, before being picked up in this weekend’s Mail on Sunday:
“The information service said Nato had expressed concerns that the UK would not be able to take over command of the unit by the deadline of January 1, 2024, and had informally asked the Bundeswehr – the German military – if it would continue to lead it in 2024 instead.”
In response, Ben Wallace says NATO leadership did not approach anybody, the UK is taking over the VJTF as scheduled and the claim is based on reports “from a German website you and I have never heard of”. He was quite open about making a case to the Treasury for “some money” to battle inflation, though didn’t admit the reported figure of £10 billion needed…
Also eyebrow-raising was Wallace’s response to being asked whether he’d like to be the next NATO Secretary General:
“Being Defence Secretary is a great job, though not good for the hairline”
The response is being widely interpreted as a great big ‘yes please’.
Why ever could he be wanting an escape route…
Speaking on LBC this morning – ahead of his speech at Chatham House this lunchtime – Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy boasted about Labour’s record on the world stage:
“Labour are one of the founding parties of the North Atlantic Trade Alliance”
From a man who went on Celebrity Mastermind and when asked who succeeded King Henry VIII answered “Henry VII”. Britain will be in safe hands with Sir Keir’s government…
