Scots-born MP who served in Afghanistan blasts Donald Trump over claims Nato avoided frontline
Al Carns, who was born and raised in Aberdeen, said the US President’s controversial comments were “utterly ridiculous”.
A Scots-born Labour minister who served five tours in Afghanistan has blasted Donald Trump after he claimed Nato troops avoided the front line.
Al Carns, who was born and raised in Aberdeen, said the US President’s comments were “utterly ridiculous”.
It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Trump’s remarks were “insulting and frankly appalling” and that the US President should apologise.
Veterans minister Mr Carns, with is MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: “The only time Nato has ever enacted Article 5 was after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
“And the world rallied to the support of the US.
“Our agencies, our forces, our politicians, we all stood together, shoulder to shoulder, and responded.
“On Afghanistan, frankly this is utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the frontline. Many fought way beyond it.
“I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat, and tears together. Not everybody came home.
”These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting US or shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall.
“I would suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.”
He added: “It’s also worth reminding people here: In World War II more British troops landed on D-Day than any other nation.
“It was an Allied response. And united we conquer.
Some advice for anyone who may be listening: there are two great sayings worth remembering. Number one: There is only one worse thing than working with allies. That is working without them. And when you do, always remember: never above, never below, always side by side.”
Mr Trump made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked.
He said: “We’ve never needed them.
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
Sir Keir hit out as the US President on Friday afternoon: “I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.
“There were many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.
“I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised they have caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.”
The Prime Minister said he would apologise if he had said the words used by Mr Trump.
In response to comments from Diane Dernie, mother of severely injured veteran Ben Parkinson, he said: “I’ve made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I’d apologise to her.”
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The Royal British Legion’s Director General, Mark Atkinson, said: “The service and sacrifice of British personnel in Afghanistan cannot be called into question, and we condemn any comments that undermine their extraordinary contribution. 457 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan and thousands more and their families now live with the lifelong physical and mental impact from service in that conflict.
“The dedication and sacrifices of the men and women in the British Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth, and beyond, to protect our freedoms and support our allies deserves our deep and ongoing respect and gratitude.
“Our nation’s support for our Armed Forces is never in doubt. The Royal British Legion through our ongoing work to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, ensures that their unique contribution is not forgotten. This recognition is shared across communities, cultures, and faiths.”
SNP MP Dave Doogan - who previously worked for the Ministry of Defence -said: "These latest comments from President Trump are not only completely false but are profoundly disrespectful to the 457 UK troops who died serving in Afghanistan, fighting alongside the US Military, following the triggering of NATO's Article Five.
“Revisionist rhetoric of this nature is challenging enough, but when it seeks to ignore, diminish or deny the ultimate sacrifice of so many UK and other NATO allied forces, together with the hundreds injured, such comments are beyond the pale."
Lib Dem MP Angus MacDonald, who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, said: “Trump’s claims are ludicrous and insulting. The US forces would acknowledge that the British and other Allied troops stood shoulder to shoulder with them in the most difficult battles.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump’s comments were “complete nonsense” which could weaken the Nato alliance.
She said: “I spoke to parents of young men who had lost their lives in Afghanistan and I think it is a disgrace to denigrate their memory like that.”
The row has again tested the transatlantic relationship, which has come under intense strain following Mr Trump’s threats to slap tariffs on European nations opposed to his ambitions to annex Greenland.
He later backed down after a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in which he said they formed the “framework” for a deal over Arctic security, announcing further import taxes would no longer be imposed.
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