David Lammy to meet JD Vance TODAY amid tensions over UK vow to recognise Palestinian state - as Israel plans to take control of Gaza City

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

is meeting JD Vance today amid tensions over Gaza and Ukraine.
The Foreign Secretary is hosting the US vice-president at his country retreat of Chevening.
The pair are said to have developed something of a bromance over their difficult childhoods and Christian faith, despite starkly different political outlooks.
However, that warmth could be tested with friction growing over the UK's vow to recognise Palestine as a state.
Keir Starmer also this morning condemned an Israeli plan to take control of Gaza City, warning of more 'bloodshed'.
Mr Vance is beginning a holiday in the UK with his family - who will also join the meeting at the Kent estate later.
Mr Lammy is reported to have attended Mass at the vice-president's Washington residence during a visit in March, and now plans to repay the favour with the stay at Chevening.
Built in the 17th century, Grade I-listed Chevening was previously the home of the earls of Stanhope, before it was gifted to the state in 1959.
It has traditionally acted as the foreign secretary's country residence, but the prime minister can nominate any of his cabinet colleagues to use the house.
Israel is certain to be on the agenda, after Benjamin Netanyahu suggested an expansion of the campaign in Gaza.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also reportedly set to meet Donald Trump in the coming days.
The US and UK have found themselves at odds on Gaza, with Keir Starmer's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire drawing criticism from Washington.
On Ukraine, Mr Trump said on a visit to the UK last month that he would bring forward the deadline for Mr Putin to agree a ceasefire or face higher tariffs to Friday.
But speaking in the White House overnight the US president would not commit to taking action when the deadline expires, saying only that it was 'up to' Mr Putin.
Kremlin officials claimed that a meeting between the US and Russian presidents had been agreed and could take place as early as next week, despite Moscow showing no sign of relenting in its attacks on Ukraine.
The vice-president and his family are also expected to visit Hampton Court Palace.
Mr Vance has caused controversy with some of his remarks about Britain, including a claim that a 'backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons' under threat.
Mr Vance made the remarks in February as he raised concerns over a legal case in which a man who silently prayed outside an abortion clinic was convicted of breaching the safe zone around the centre.
He has also suggested the UK is a 'truly Islamist' country – a characterisation that was later dismissed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – and railed against what he described as 'infringements on free speech' in Britain.
More recently the vice-president has appeared to take aim at Britain's international standing as well as its home affairs.
As the UK and France led European efforts to secure a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, he questioned the level of security that could be offered by 'some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years'.
He later denied he had been referring to either the UK or France after facing a furious backlash from British politicians and ex-soldiers.
'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 of the remarks made in a Fox News interview in March.