Downing Street slams Trump as he is ‘wrong to diminish’ UK troops role in Afghanistan
Downing Street has hit back at Donald Trump for diminishing the role that British troops played in Afghanistan.
The US President has sparked outrage amongst British and NATO troops after he said “they’ll say the sent some troops,” adding with smirk, those forces were “a little away from the front.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “The President was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces in Afghanistan.
“Following the 9/11 attacks on the US, Article 5 of the NATO Treaty (a mutual defence agreement if one member is attacked) was invoked for the first time, and British forces served alongside American and other allied troops in sustained combat operations.
“457 British service personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan, and many more were wounded.”
Backlash grows over Trump’s dismissal of NATO allies
He continued, “Their sacrifice and that of other NATO allies was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally. We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The spokesman was asked if the government wants Trump to apologise, he said, “I not going to speak for the President, I’ve just set out our position. We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice.
“For decades, the US and UK trained together as troops, they have fought together, and tragically they have died together. And they have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our countries and our values.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said in a post on X, “Trump avoided military service 5 times.
“How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said, “Nato’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.
Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said Trumps claim is “appalling and an insult to our brave British servicemen and women, who risked life and limb to help our allies, with many making the ultimate sacrifice”.
Former soldier, author and journalist Stephen Stewart said: “Trump’s comments are as offensive as they are inaccurate.
“It’s hugely ironic that someone who allegedly dodged the draft for the Vietnam War should make such a disgraceful statement.
“He has desecrated the memory of hundreds of British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, people who we called friends and comrades.
“If he was a man of honour, he would get down on bended knees to ask forgiveness from the families of the fallen.”
