Overview
- No 10 said on Monday that “no state visit has been confirmed yet,” casting doubt on an expected late‑April trip to Washington linked to America’s 250th anniversary events.
- Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and other MPs urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to advise calling off or delaying the visit, arguing it would hand President Trump a diplomatic victory.
- The political pressure followed Trump’s public criticism of Starmer over Iran strategy, including remarks that the UK was a “once great ally,” that Starmer was “no Winston Churchill,” and that “we will remember.”
- Downing Street said Starmer spoke with Trump on Sunday about the Middle East and UK–US cooperation using RAF bases, reflecting Britain’s shift from initially denying offensive basing to permitting limited defensive operations.
- Despite the uncertainty, the i reported Whitehall planning is continuing for a possible visit, while the MoD maintains heightened readiness, including placing HMS Prince of Wales on advanced readiness and deploying additional RAF assets.