Keir Starmer snubs Donald Trump's £140 'special edition' gift ahead of State Visit

Mr Trump spent much of his brief visit talking to Sir Keir about the "special relationship", tensions in the Middle East and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, following the successful trip, Sir Keir appeared to leave the "special edition" bottle of whisky to the Cabinet Office.

The "special edition" liquor was recorded in the Prime Minister's section of the Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality for July 2025.

The bottle was only officially declared because it exceeded the threshold of being worth at least £140.

When a gift is worth more than £140, ministers can choose whether to pay the difference between the value and £140 to buy the item, or leave it with their department.

However, the Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality also revealed that Sir Keir chose to gift Mr Trump's Turnberry Hotel a golf club and book following the visit.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister received a book and tie from French President Emmanuel Macron, while Sir Keir's wife, Lady Victoria, was handed a leather wallet by Brigitte Macron.

The Prime Minister will see the US President in just a few weeks, with Mr Trump becoming the first ever Commander-in-Chief to take part in two State Visits.

Mr Trump was first welcomed for an official visit in June 2019, with Theresa May accompanying the US President at No10.

The US President and his wife Melania Trump will return to Windsor Castle between September 17 and September 19.

However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has sparked a diplomatic row after announcing his intention to boycott Mr Trump's State Banquet at Windsor Castle.

Sir Ed said: "Boycotting the banquet is the one way I can send a message to Donald Trump and Keir Starmer that they can't close their eyes and wish this away.

"We have to speak up, they have to act. Donald Trump has to end this humanitarian crisis."

Responding in fury, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “This an act of deep disrespect to His Majesty the King. It shows appalling judgment.

"America is our closest ally and security partner, and the world's biggest economy.

“Ed Davey has once again proved he is not a serious leader and more interested in pathetic gesture politics.”

However, veteran Tory MP Andrew Rosindell is now demanding Reform UK leader Nigel Farage takes Sir Ed's place at the State Banqut.

He said: “I don't think President Donald Trump will have even heard of Sir Ed Davey, so I doubt he'll lose much sleep over Sir Ed's petty and foolish decision to boycott the state banquet in honour of the president, hosted by His Majesty The King.

“Now there is a space for an opposition party leader to attend, I can think of a good one who could be invited to occupy the empty chair at Windsor Castle … Nigel Farage.”

However, Mr Farage has admitted that it is difficult for him to maintain a close friendship with Mr Trump following Reform UK's enormous rise in the opinion polls.

Speaking last month, the Clacton MP told the People's Channel: "When he was up in Turnberry last May, I was there for GB News actually. But I was there and I stayed there.

"And I was obviously back for the campaign in November and I was in Mar-A-Lago on the fifth and sixth."

Admitting the pair are now in an "awkward position" in their alliance, Mr Farage stated: "I'm in a slightly awkward position now, or he's in a slightly awkward position with me.

"I can't just bowl up on a friendly trip for diplomatic reasons, whilst he's there with the Prime Minister negotiating steel tariffs and much else, it just doesn't work."

The Reform UK leader added: "I had dinner with Donald Trump Jr the other week, and I'm on good terms."

Assuring he is "still on good terms" with Mr Trump's administration, Mr Farage declared his relationship with the US President is "always one of friendship".