US President Donald Trump has admitted it will be "tough" for Sir Keir Starmer to continue as Prime Minister before branding him "weak" for his handling of the small boats crisis.
Mr Trump, who once described Sir Keir as his "friend", directly addressed the Prime Minister's leadership woes.
Despite securing a thumping 174-seat majority in 2024, almost 100 Labour MPs have now called on Sir Keir to resign.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting have already been positioning themselves to challenge Sir Keir for the top job.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One after visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr Trump attacked Sir Keir’s stances on migration and energy.
“It’s a tough thing," the US President said.
“Unless he can straighten out immigration, where he’s weak, and if he doesn’t start drilling and stop with the windmills all over the place that are causing havoc.”
When asked if Sir Keir should quit, Mr Trump added: “I don’t say [that]. I think he’s a nice man, actually.
Donald Trump revealed he was 'not happy' with the UK following Keir Starmer's reluctance to send ships to the Middle East | GETTY“But I mean, I didn’t like what he said ‘We’re going to send ships as soon as you’re finished with the war’.
"Well, we are sort of finished militarily, pretty much.”
However, Mr Trump admitted: "He's in a lot of trouble."
The US President consistently criticises Sir Keir over his policies on energy and immigration.
However, the Prime Minister continues to resist calls to expand exploration licences in the North Sea, instead insisting renewables will deliver lower energy prices.
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The small boats crisis is worsening under Labour | PALabour MPs defeated a Tory push to enable new drilling in the North Sea in March, with Mrs Badenoch losing the opposition motion by 297 votes to 108.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer's small boats record is officially worse than any of his predecessors.
More than 70,000 have crossed the Channel since the Prime Minister came to power in July 2024.
Dismissing similar criticisms raised by Mr Trump last month, Sir Keir said: "I'm here to serve the British people always, to have their interests and to make sure that I make the right decisions for them."
Ed Miliband continues to resist drilling in the North Sea | GETTY"That is why I took the decision that we would not be dragged into the war in Iran.
"That is why I took the decision we wouldn't be dragged into the blockade of the Strait [of Hormuz].
"That is in our best national interest. That is my duty. I will stick to it, and I'm not going to be diverted or deflected from that by what anybody else says."
Sir Keir is still battling to save his premiership and avoid becoming Labour's shortest-serving Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer was once described by Donald Trump as a 'friend'
| GETTYMr Burnham is being flooded with support from Labour MPs after declaring his intention to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
Ex-minister Josh Simons, who was once seen as a loyal supporter of Sir Keir, announced his decision to step down yesterday.
He made it clear that his departure from the House of Commons would enable Mr Burnham to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership.
Mr Streeting is also keeping his powder dry following his decision to resign as Health Secretary.