Starmer blasts Trump’s claims Labour interfering in US election after Donald files complaint over Kamala Harris support
SIR KEIR Starmer has dismissed claims by Donald Trump that the Labour party is interfering in the US election to bolster the election chances of Kamala Harris.
The Prime Minister hit back after Republicans made an official complaint after dozens of volunteers head to the US to help the Democrat campaign.
His intervention came the Trump team singled out Labour for “illegal foreign contributions” and “interference” ahead of the November 5 polling day.
It comes after it emerged the party’s head of operations Sofia Patel was calling for volunteers highlighting free accommodation during the trip.
Asked if it was a mistake to send volunteers, he said: “The Labour Party has volunteers, and has gone over pretty much every election.
“They’re doing it in their spare time, they’re doing it as volunteers, they’re staying I think with other volunteers over there.
“That’s what they’ve done in previous elections, that’s what they’re doing in this election and that’s really straight forward.”
A statement from the campaign said that the “far-left” Labour has “inspired Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies and rhetoric”.
He hit back at suggestions it could ruin his relationship with Mr Trump who could return to the White House after a four year absence.
Sir Keir, speaking to reporters on the way to Samoa, said: “No. I spent time in New York with President Trump, had dinner with him and my purpose in doing that was to make sure that between the two of us we established a good relationship, which we did, and we’re grateful for him for making the time in Florida for that dinner.
“We had a good, constructive discussion and, of course as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom I will work with whoever the American people return as their President in their elections which are very close now.”
The statement first emerged on Tuesday night from the Trump camp following reports of people associated with Labour going to the US.
It claims that reporting “surrounding the relationship between the Harris campaign and the Labour Party create a reasonable inference that the Labour Party has made, and the Harris campaign has accepted, illegal foreign national contributions”.
The letter also refers to a report in the Washington Post which claims that advice has been offered between the Labour Party and Ms Harris’ campaign.
The complaint also refers to a social media post, which now appears to have been deleted, in which a Labour staff member appeared to have said there were “nearly 100 Labour Party staff (current and former) going to the US in the next few weeks” to swing states.
It’s understood that trips have been organised in a personal capacity and accommodation arranged by volunteers for the Democrats.
The Prime Minister visited Trump Tower for talks ahead of the US election, and said he wanted to meet Mr Trump face-to-face because “I’m a great believer in personal relationships on the world stage”.