Keir Starmer ‘not at all disappointed’ at Labour’s Trump inauguration snub
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Downing Street said it is ‘entirely normal’ for Britain to be represented by outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce. Sir Keir Starmer is “not at all” disappointed that none of his top team were invited to Donald Trump’s inauguration, despite Nigel Farage and a host of senior Tories heading to the ceremony, Downing Street has said.
![[Donald Trump will return to the White House on Monday]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/20/12/newFile.jpg)
The prime minister’s official spokesman insisted it is “entirely normal” for Britain to be represented by outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, while her replacement Lord Mandelson and Sir Keir’s cabinet have been snubbed. Trump broke with tradition by inviting several foreign leaders to his inauguration, including Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentinian president Javier Milei.
But, in a blow to the PM, Mr Trump did not extend the invite to Sir Keir. And, while Reform UK leader Mr Farage, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and former home secretary Suella Braverman are all brushing shoulders with Maga Republicans in Washington, DC, none of Sir Keir’s ministers or MPs are attending the ceremony.
Asked whether the prime minister was embarrassed, his official spokesman said: “Not at all. “President-elect Trump and the prime minister have obviously spoken on a number of occasions ahead of the inauguration. “The prime minister congratulates President-elect Trump on the day of his inauguration and looks forward to the depth of friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States continuing as we work together to ensure the success of both of our countries.”.
