JD Vance accused of 'insulting' memories of British soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan
US Vice President JD Vance has been accused of 'insulting' the memories of British troops who died in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting alongside US soldiers.
Former British defence minister Lord Beamish criticised Mr Vance, who was pushing the idea of a deal to let America gain access to Ukraine's mineral wealth, after he belittled a planned peace-keeping force for the war-torn country to be led by the UK and France.
'If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,' Mr Vance told Fox News.
See also: 'America's Hitler?' How JD Vance spoke about Trump before he became Vice President
'That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years.'
But Kevan Jones, who was North Durham MP before being elevated to the Upper Chamber as Lord Beamish, condemned the remark.
He told The Standard: 'This type of talk isn't helpful and will be insulting and very hurtful to the memories of those who died and still suffer today from injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan and who fought alongside American forces.'
Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Helen Maguire, a former Captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, said: "JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.'
She added: 'I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder.
'Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn't return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality.'
More than 450 British armed forces personnel died in Afghanistan over the 20 years since the US-led invasion after the 2001 September 11 terror attacks on America.
It is the only time that Nato's Article V mutual defence agreement has been evoked.
Military experts have now raised doubts over whether Trump is committed to Article V given his rapprochement with Vladimir Putin and refusal so far to offer a security guarantee 'backstop' to a peace-keeping force in Ukraine.
More than 2,200 US military personnel were killed in Afghanistan.
The UK lost 179 servicemen and women during the Iraq War, during which more than 4,400 American service personnel also died.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, said: 'The disrespect shown by the new US vice president to the sacrifices of our service personnel is unacceptable.'
Later on Tuesday, Mr Vance claimed it was 'absurdly dishonest' to suggest he had been referring to either Britain or France.
'I don't even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond,' he said.
No10 refused to be drawn on whether the Prime Minister had found the comments insulting or disrespectful.
Sir Keir Starmer has committed British troops and planes for a peace-keeping mission in Ukraine if Putin's three-year war ends.
But hopes of a deal were dealt a fresh blow as Donald Trump paused military aid for Ukraine, in a move which will weaken Kyiv's negotiating position.
Trump's decision came after an astonishing clash between him and Mr Vance against Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House's Oval Office last week.
Mr Vance launched a fresh attack on Mr Zelensky, accusing him of 'needling' Trump and having a 'certain sense of entitlement' as the US President paused aid to Ukraine.
Sitting down with Fox News' Sean Hannity early on Tuesday, Mr Vance said: 'He showed a clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process that President Trump said is the policy.'
Mr Zelensky has stressed he wants a peace deal but insists a US security guarantee is needed to stop another attack by Putin.
Mr Vance also used the interview as an opportunity to criticise Europe's approach to free speech, saying governments wanted to 'silence and shut down' free speech in response to criticism over immigration.
Mr Vance has himself warned Mr Zelensky against 'badmouthing' Trump.
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