Burnham’s past criticism of Trump ‘no bar to strong relationship’ – minister

Andy Burnham’s past criticism of Donald Trump was “politics” and “no bar to having a strong relationship”, a minister has said as the Prime Minister prepares for his first meeting with the US president.The two leaders are expected to come face to face at the UN general assembly next week in New York, having spoken to each other at least twice on the phone since Mr Burnham entered Downing Street in July.Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson was asked whether the encounter could prove awkward in light of past remarks, including his 2021 assertion that “any politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.”Bridget Phillipson said Mr Burnham’s past criticism of the president was ‘politics’ (PA)PA Wire“Look, I think what you’ve just described there is politics, and the president knows that,” Ms Phillipson told Sky News’s Sunday Morning programme.“This is… far from unique, and people will express views at different points on different topics, and that’s no bar to having a strong relationship.“And the reason that matters is because the US is someone that is essential to our ability to share intelligence, to work together on defence, whether that’s Ukraine and much, much more besides.“That will be at the forefront of Andy Burnham’s mind when he meets President Trump face to face.”The Prime Minister has previously defended his past remarks about Mr Trump and insisted he would find “common ground” and “find a connection” with the president.Andy Burnham has insisted he will find ‘common ground’ with the US president (PA)PA WireThe US leader described Mr Burnham as “a very nice guy” last week, echoing some of his positive comments about Sir Keir Starmer during the early stages of his premiership.Relations between the White House and Sir Keir’s government later became increasingly strained over the Iran conflict and disagreements about Mr Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.Ms Phillipson acknowledged there would be “differences” between the UK and US administrations but said the Government would remain pragmatic in its dealings with Washington.“What’s best for our country is having a relationship with the US where we can engage in that defence intelligence-sharing, where we can have a strong relationship on lots and lots of areas, where that’s on the economy as well.“Does that mean we always agree on everything? No, again, that’s what I mean about it being politics, there will be differences,” she said.Read More“We come from different political traditions, we have different approaches, but ultimately what matters most is our ability to stand together, as has been the case over a long, long period of time, and that is what we will always prioritise.”