The Deputy Prime Minister has rejected comments by Donald Trump’s running mate for the US vice-presidential nomination that Britain, under a Labour government, could be the first “truly Islamist” country to possess nuclear weapons.
JD Vance, the Ohio senator chosen as Mr Trump’s running mate on Monday night, made the comments at the National Conservatism conference in Washington DC last week.
The 39-year-old said he was “picking on” the UK and had been discussing with a friend “which is the first truly Islamist country to get nuclear weapons”, then joked that “maybe it’s Iran, maybe Pakistan counts, and then we sort of decided maybe it’s actually the UK since Labour has just come into power”.
The idea that Islamists are gaining power in some European countries with Muslim minorities is common in some right-wing American political circles.
Angela Rayner told ITV that Mr Vance had said “quite a few fruity things in the past” but did not “acknowledge” his characterisation of the UK.
She added that she was “looking forward” to meeting him and Mr Trump if they won the US election in November.
She added: “I am very proud of the recent electoral success of the Labour Party.
“We have won votes across all communities, across the country, and we want to govern on behalf of Britain and also work with our international allies.”
Mr Vance’s comments were also criticised by Exchequer Secretary James Murray.
Mr Murray told Sky News: “I don’t know where he was going with that comment, to be honest. I mean, in Britain we’re very proud of our diversity.
“I’m very proud that we have a new government, I’m very proud that our Labour government is committed to national security and economic growth. I know very well where we are.
“I’m not sure how this comment fits into this context.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has spent recent months consciously seeking to forge strong relationships with Donald Trump’s allies, including Mr Vance.
In a speech in May at the right-leaning Hudson Institute in Washington, Mr. Lammy said Mr. Vance was “right that we have a problem in Europe that we have to solve by increasing defense spending.”
He also said Mr Trump had been “often misunderstood” on NATO, that he “understood the America First agenda” and would find “common cause” with a Trump administration.
But Mr Vance’s choice could pose a challenge to the new Labor government if Mr Trump returns to the White House.
Former President Trump opted for one of the most isolationist members of the Republican Party.
Former Trump critic, now Trump evangelist, opposes Ukraine aid – while Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to spend £3bn on Ukraine aid “for as long as it takes”.
Mr Vance also criticised Europe’s over-reliance on the US for foreign policy, which could strain US-UK relations.
Despite Mr Vance’s recent intervention, Labor believes its diplomacy with Mr Trump’s team is starting to bear fruit.
Labour sources point to Sir Keir’s conversation with the former president on Sunday after the assassination attempt – the first time the two men had spoken.
Andrew Bowie, the shadow veterans minister, said he “absolutely” disagreed with the claim that Labour was creating an “Islamist country”.
He told Times Radio: “I fundamentally disagree with the Labour Party on many issues, but I disagree with this view, quite frankly.
“I think it’s actually quite offensive, frankly, to my colleagues in the Labour Party.”
