Wes Streeting has insisted that the relationship between the UK and the US is the “closest on Earth” at the Labour Party conference.
The Defence Secretary addressed the gathering in Liverpool just hours after a suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford was foiled.
RAF Fairford is also an important base for the US Air Force, which was integral to Washington’s war with Iran.
After the incident, President Donald Trump praised British police for preventing “big damage”.
“It was fantastic working with Britain; it was an amazing job,” he said.
“We had them under investigation; they were looking to do big damage to our port, and working with the British worked out great.
Wes Streeting has insisted that the relationship between the UK and the US is the ‘closest on Earth’
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PA
“It may have been Scotland Yard, I don’t know; we worked with a lot of them. We had them under review for a long time, and we got them,” the US leader added.
Mr Streeting was similarly glowing in the strength of the special partnership following the incident.
“Before getting into my speech today, I want to say something about yesterday’s events around RAF Fairford,” the Defence Secretary told delegates.
“You’ll understand that there is a live police investigation, and I cannot provide much further detail than that which is reported.
Following the incident, President Donald said: ‘It was fantastic working with Britain; it was an amazing job’
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GB NEWS
“But I do want to say that our friendship with America is the closest alliance of any two nations on Earth, and we will always stand together against those who hate our freedom and those who wish us harm.
“And what we saw yesterday from our security services, our armed forces and our police, was just a small glimpse of the extraordinary work they do every day, around the clock and around the world, behind the scenes, and without recognition, to keep our country safe.
“To all of them, from all of us. Thank you,” Mr Streeting said.
The Defence Secretary’s remarks come as Anglo-American relations have been strained in recent months.
The Defence Secretary’s remarks come as Anglo-American relations have been strained in recent months
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GETTY
In their first in-person meeting, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Trump shared a frosty exchange over the “terrible” Chagos surrender plan.
Tensions have been especially high over the UK’s lack of support towards the US during the war in Iran, refusing to take an active role and initially denying access to British bases.
It led to reports that the US was evaluating its position on the Falkland Islands as Argentina pushes its claim on the British territory.
During his visit to Ireland, President Trump also sensationally called for the breakup of the UK and a united Ireland.
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