Keir Starmer praised Donald Trump’s leadership on the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza – but ducked questions over whether he should get the Nobel Peace Prize wants
Keir Starmer today ducked questions over whether Donald Trump should be handed the Nobel Peace Prize he has long craved.
It came as Prime Minister welcomed the news of a deal over the first phase of a ceasefire plan in Gaza as a “moment of profound relief” for the world.
The announcement could see the release of hostages and an end to the bloodshed that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, India, Mr Starmer praised the US President for his role in the negotiations over a deal alongside Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
Asked whether the US President deserved a Nobel Peace Prize – something he has made no secret of desiring – Mr Starmer swerved the question.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer responds to Gaza ceasefire deal first phase – ‘profound relief’
He told reporters: “This is a very significant step forward and it would not have happened without President Trump’s leadership on this.
“And I want to be really clear about that and I say that from the informed position of the UK having played a part behind the scenes in this with the US and with the mediators.
“What matters now is to press on and implement this.”
Earlier this year, Mr Trump said during a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.”
Mr Starmer also dismissed questions on Wednesday over ex-Labour PM Sir Tony Blair’s mooted involvement in the Gaza peace plan.
Sir Tony was named by Trump as one of a group of international leaders who would sit on a “Board of Peace” to oversee an interim governing authority for Gaza.
But the PM suggested he was less interested in the “personnel” than the outcome.
He said: “The first and most important thing to say is the deal today is a real breakthrough, and that is why it’s important that we recognise that and recognise the human impact that is going to have on those that have been most affected.
“And that’s why I’ve referenced in particular the hostages, their families and all civilians in Gaza, who have been through unimaginable horrors and grief over the last period of this conflict. Now it does need to be implemented.
He added: “I’m less interested, to be perfectly frank, in discussions about personnel than I am in getting it implemented.
“The UK has played an important part behind the scenes in relation to these negotiations, working with the US mediators, and we stand ready to play our part in implementing this.”
READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster