Sir Keir Starmer has taken a swipe at the US Vice President JD Vance as he “disrespectfully” implied on Tuesday that the UK-French peacekeepers force for Ukraine will consist of “20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
|
<!–
–> |
Starmer said at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday that Thursday marks 13 years since six British soldiers were killed in Afhganistan and also marks the 18th anniversary when Royal Marine Commando Benjamin Ready, 22, was killed in Helmand.
The Prime Minister told MPs in the House of Commons, “Tomorrow marks 13 years since six young British soldiers were on patrol in Afghanistan when their vehicle was struck by an explosive, tragically killing them all.
“Tomorrow also marks the 18th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Ready, a 22-year-old serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines, killed in Helmand Province in 2007.
“These men fought and died for their country, our country, and across the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 642 individuals died fighting for Britain alongside our allies. Many more were wounded.
“We will never forget their bravery and their sacrifice, and I know the whole House will join me in remembering them and all who served our country.”
Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Helen Maguire, a former Captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, said, “JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
She added, “I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder.
“Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality.”
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
