MPs have united across the House of Commons to condemn Donald Trump’s jibe about Nato troops in Afghanistan.
The US President, who sparked fury this morning, suggested soldiers from the defence bloc “stayed a little back” during the campaign in Afghanistan.
Mr Trump told Fox News: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test, and I'm not sure of that.
"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."
Responding to the US President, Defence Minister Al Carns said: “Tracking some comments made that Nato troops stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan and that the US has never necessarily needed us.
“Well, it’s a real shame to hear that. The only time Nato’s 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.”
Mr Carns, who served as an officer in the Royal Marines, added: “On Afghanistan, frankly, it’s utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front lines.
“Many fought way beyond it. I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. And not everybody came home.”
In total, 457 British personnel were killed in Afghanistan between 2001 and the coalition withdrawal two decades later.
Denmark suffered 44 fatalities - the highest proportion relative to population size after the United States.
Canada's death toll reached 159, France lost 90 soldiers, Germany 62, Italy 53 and Poland 44.
The US bore the heaviest losses in absolute terms during the 20-year war, with 2,500 men laying down their lives following 9/11.
Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served as a soldier in the British Army, also condemned Mr Trump.
“I served in Afghanistan. I saw first hand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year.
“I don’t believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.”
Meanwhile, Labour MP Calvin Bailey, a former wing commander in the Royal Air Force, added: “My Air Medal, awarded for service with the US Air Force Special Operations Command in Afghanistan, is a permanent reminder of the enduring UK–US relationship, and of how Nato answered the call when the United States invoked Article 5 in its moment of need.”
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|PA
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|PA
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"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."
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Care Minister Stephen Kinnock
|GB NEWS
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President Trump 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."
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