During the recent Prime Minister’s Questions session, Keir Starmer delivered a sharp retort to the Liberal Democrat Leader, sparking laughter among MPs. Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized Sir Ed Davey for his involvement in a Tory attempt to refer him to a parliamentary sleaze inquiry related to the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Sir Ed questioned Starmer about leaked remarks from US ambassador Sir Christian Turner, who suggested the US’s primary special relationship is with Israel. Johnson dismissed the significance of Turner’s comments, highlighting Sir Ed’s participation in the inquiry against him.
In response, Sir Ed referenced Turner’s statements about the US relationship with Israel, the Prime Minister’s job security, and the Jeffrey Epstein case. Starmer shrugged off the accusations, citing the challenges he faced from opposition parties. He also pointed out inconsistencies in Sir Ed’s statements regarding the Mandelson issue.
The exchange culminated in Starmer taunting Sir Ed for his involvement in the parliamentary inquiry, sarcastically referring to him as the “man in the wetsuit.” Meanwhile, US ambassador Sir Christian Turner expressed his dislike for the term “special relationship” in describing UK-US ties, emphasizing the deep historical bond between the two nations.
The public disclosure of Turner’s remarks comes at a sensitive time for US-UK relations, amidst tensions over the fallout from the Iran war and King Charles’ ongoing state visit to America.
