Kemi Badenoch has called Donald Trump\u2019s repeated criticisms of Keir Starmer \u201cchildish\u201d, as the Conservative leader continued her recent moves to distance herself from the US president and his military action against Iran.<\/p>\n
Speaking shortly before Trump yet again singled out Starmer, saying the prime minister had not been sufficiently supportive of the US war, Badenoch used a social media video<\/a> to describe Trump\u2019s actions as counterproductive.<\/p>\n Describing herself as \u201cKeir Starmer\u2019s biggest critic\u201d, Badenoch went on: \u201cBut the words coming from the White House are completely wrong. I think it\u2019s actually quite childish. There is a lot that can be said behind closed doors.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have got [Ukraine\u2019s] President Zelenskyy in our country today. The western alliance having an argument with itself, I think, sends the wrong signal to our opponents, in Iran or in Russia.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to be strengthening between the UK and the US, irrespective of who is president and who is prime minister. But I think those words coming from the White House were childish.\u201d<\/p>\n Such an open rebuke for Trump is a notable change of stance for Badenoch, who has previously sought to link her style<\/a> of leadership to his, praising the president for, she said, having the bravery to take on the liberal elite.<\/p>\n When the US and Israel first attacked Iran, Badenoch criticised Starmer for not allowing the US to use UK bases, saying<\/a> she stood \u201cwith our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime\u201d.<\/p>\n