'Don't accept that at all!' Labour MP defends Keir Starmer's 'good' relationship with Donald Trump in heated GB News grilling

Pressed by Mark on whether the relationship is "at an end", Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "No, I don't accept that at all.

"The Prime Minister has had and does have a good relationship with the US President."

Mr Thomas-Symonds pointed to ongoing collaboration on critical security matters, including the current conflict in Iran, as evidence of the partnership's strength.

He emphasised the intensity of daily cooperation between the two Governments, noting that "the Defence Secretary speaks virtually every day to his counterpart in the United States."

The minister also confirmed that Sir Keir and Mr Trump spoke just last weekend.

Mr Thomas-Symonds drew on historical precedents to underscore the resilience of the special relationship, describing it as "long and enduring".

He referenced previous moments of tension between British and American leaders, citing Harold Wilson's stance on Vietnam and the early disagreements between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher during the Falklands War.

"We've had points of disagreement before, but it's a strong and enduring relationship that is absolutely critical, not just for this country, but the whole Euro Atlantic security area as well," the minister said.

He expressed confidence in the partnership's future, stating: "It is working. I see it in Government day by day at the moment, and no doubt will continue into the future."

Turning to the Government's approach to European trade, Mr Thomas-Symonds made clear that ministers have no intention of revisiting the fundamental Brexit settlement.

"We're not seeking to rejoin. We're not going back to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement," he stated.

However, the minister outlined the Government's strategy for improving trading conditions with the EU through targeted reforms.

"What we are doing is making pragmatic changes in different sectors of the economy to reduce trade barriers," he explained.

Mr Thomas-Symonds stressed that the government accepts full responsibility for its economic decisions while pursuing this approach.

The focus, he indicated, would be on practical improvements rather than reopening the broader debates that dominated British politics during the Brexit years.

He revealed that UK businesses have been required to obtain more than one million such certificates since 2023, with each document running to 22 pages and requiring 56 wet stamps.

The minister characterised these requirements as "basically the paperwork tax of Boris Johnson's botched Brexit deal".

"What I am saying to businesses, consumers, up and down the country, is I want to take these barriers away," he said, arguing that removing such red tape would boost growth, jobs and investment.

Mr Thomas-Symonds also took aim at opposition parties, claiming that "the Conservatives and Reform either want to keep this paperwork, or if we take it away, want to put it back."