Keir Starmer showed visible 'discomfort' when Donald Trump addressed one topic
Sir Keir Starmer appeared nervous during a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump in Scotland today when the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza came up, according to a body language expert.
The encounter came just a day after President Trump announced a landmark trade deal with the European Union, setting tariffs at 15% after months of uncertainty. According to body language expert Judi James, the Labour leader displayed several self-comfort gestures during the meeting at Turnberry golf course - and appeared particularly uneasy when the conversation turned to Gaza - at one point folding his arms tightly across his chest in what she described as a 'full body barrier,' indicating clear discomfort.
Judi explained: 'This looked very much like Trump's solo press conference, with the Starmers flanking him on either side like bookends.' Lady Starmer performed 'a poker face while Starmer himself let off an endless volley of anxiety and self-comfort rituals', she added.
'Starmer played with his cuffs in a partial barrier ritual and he stroked his cuff with his thumb in a self-comfort gesture. He pulled his jacket together and at one point he clearly went to fold his arms but thought better of it, self-policing and turning it into a truncated gesture instead. When the subject moved to Gaza though, Starmer went fully into his body barrier, folding his arms across his torso and repeating the ritual more than once to suggest discomfort.'
It comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with at least eight more Palestinians having died from starvation in the past 24 hours. Israeli airstrikes continued overnight and into this morning, killing 22 people today and 63 on Sunday as they sought aid. So far, 135 people have starved to death, including 87 children, according to local health officials. On Sunday, the Israeli military began daily ten-hour pauses in three populated areas of Gaza, amid growing alarm over the soaring hunger crisis.
During talks with Trump, Starmer also sought to 're-create the signals of a bromance' that began with a hand on Trump's shoulder in the White House earlier this year, according to Judi James.
The body language expert added: 'This time he appeared thwarted by Trump who paid avid attention to Lady Starmer during their greeting ritual, clasping both her and Starmer by the upper arm as he shook hands with Starmer, calling her the 'First Lady', and claiming bizarrely and repeatedly that she was a respected person all over the US'.
'Starmer used stealth though and, with Trump's press conference partly drowned out by bagpipes, he finally chose his moment and, in a move reminiscent of Rod Hull's Emu, he suddenly stuck his arm out to grasp Trump on the shoulder in a 'bromance' kind of a way.'
Before the pair entered the building, Trump was asked what advice he'd give to the UK about small boats. The question was drowned out by bagpipes, so he asked Starmer what was asked. The PM mistranslated, claiming it was a point about how "we're doing a lot to stop it" in a swift act of re-direction.
Judi said: 'His shuffling suggested he was keen to get into the building to get the real business done and before the subject of 'windmills' came up, but by then Trump was telling the cameras that 'If I weren't around you'd have six major wars going on' and referring to himself in the third person as 'Trump'.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
Oil pauses rally as markets weigh Trump's ultimatum to Russia
NEW DELHI, July 30 (Reuters) - Oil prices took a breather in Asian trade on Wednesday after the previous session's spike of more than 3%, as investors awaited developments from U.S. President Donald Trump's tighter deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Most active Brent crude futures rose 8 cents, or 0.12%, to $71.81 a barrel by 0419 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 8 cents, or 0.12%, to $69.29 a barrel. The Brent crude September contract expiring on Wednesday was up 18 cents at $72.69 per barrel. Both contracts had settled on Tuesday at their highest since June 20. On Tuesday, Trump said he would start imposing measures on Russia, such as secondary tariffs of 100% on trading partners, if it did not make progress on ending the war within 10 to 12 days, moving up from an earlier 50-day deadline. "The $4 to $5 per barrel of supply risk premium injected in recent days can be expected to be sustained, unless Putin makes a conciliatory move," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. The United States had warned China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, it could face huge tariffs if it kept buying, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a news conference in Stockholm, where the U.S. was holding trade talks with the EU. JP Morgan analysts said in a note that while China was not likely to comply with U.S. sanctions, India has signalled it would do so, putting at risk 2.3 million barrels per day of Russian oil exports. The United States and the European Union averted a trade war with a deal for 15% U.S. tariffs on European imports, easing concerns about the impact of trade tension on economic growth and offering support to oil prices. In Venezuela, foreign partners of state oil company PDVSA are still waiting for U.S. authorisation to operate in the sanctioned country after talks last week, which could return some supply to the market, so easing pressure for prices to rise. "The oil market is keeping an eye on the U.S. trade deals and talks and on the Fed, but those are marginal influences on sentiment," Hari added. Despite President Donald Trump's objections, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting later on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund raised global growth forecasts slightly for 2025 and 2026, but warned the world economy faced major risks, such as a rebound in tariff rates, geopolitical tension and larger fiscal deficits.
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Gaza latest: Netanyahu claims Starmer ‘appeasing terrorists' over pledge to recognise Palestine unless war ends
'It's outrageous': A Palestinian take on Starmer's announcement Sir Keir Starmer has angered some Palestinians following his conditional threat that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine. Palestinian activists, international charities, and British MPs have condemned what they call the use of Palestinian statehood as a 'bargaining chip'. 'It's outrageous that our right to statehood is being made conditional on the actions of the very regime that's occupying and killing us,' West Bank resident and activist Mohammad Hesham Hureini told The Independent. 'Recognition of Palestine shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip. It's a basic right, not something we have to earn by waiting for Israel to stop its violence,' he added. 'The world shouldn't be bargaining with Israel while a genocide and famine are unfolding in Gaza. 'What's needed is real international pressure to stop the crimes—not more conditions placed on Palestinian rights that should have been recognized long ago.' Alex Croft30 July 2025 05:01 Britain 'joining the momentum' for Palestinian statehood, says Paris French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has written on social media site X that Britain was "joining the momentum initiated by France for the recognition of the state of Palestine". "Together, through this pivotal decision and our combined efforts, we are putting an end to the endless cycle of violence and reopening the prospect of peace in the region," Mr Barrot said. "Nothing can stand in the way of a just and clear idea." Alex Croft30 July 2025 04:00 'Everyone is horrified' by conditions in Gaza: UK Chancellor Speaking before joining the UK's emergency cabinet meeting, the UK Chancellor said 'everyone is horrified' by conditions in Gaza, but declined to comment on whether the UK would recognise a Palestinian state. 'It is vital that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza and it is also essential that the hostages - who've been held since the 7 October 2023 - are released,' Rachel Reeves told the BBC on a visit to a mine in Cornwall. Ms Reeves said she did not want to 'pre-empt' the discussions but added: 'This government is committed to a two-state solution in the Middle East, with a safe and secure Israel sitting alongside a viable, and peaceful, Palestinian state.' The emergency meeting is currently underway. Alex Croft30 July 2025 03:01 Why have two Israeli rights groups decided to accuse their country of genocide? Earlier we brought you the news that two major rights groups in Israel, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have accused their country of genocide for the first time. The rights groups, while prominent and respected internationally, are considered in Israel to be on the political fringe, and their views are not representative of the vast majority of Israelis. But having the allegation of genocide come from Israeli voices shatters a taboo in a society that has been reticent to criticice Israel's conduct in Gaza. Guy Shalev, director of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, said the Jewish-Israeli public often dismisses accusations of genocide as antisemitic or biased against Israel. "Perhaps human rights groups based in Israel, and coming to this conclusion, is a way to confront that accusation and get people to acknowledge the reality," he said. Israel asserts that it is fighting an existential war and abides by international law. It has rejected genocide allegations as antisemitic. It is challenging such allegations at the International Court of Justice, and it has rejected the International Criminal Court's allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant committed war crimes in Gaza. Both face international arrest warrants. Alex Croft30 July 2025 02:00 Trump disagrees with Starmer recognition but refrains from criticising him Donald Trump has disagreed with, but avoided criticising, moves by French president Emmanuel Macron and British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to potentially recognise a Palestinian state. 'That's OK,' he said of Sir Keir and Mr Macron's positions. 'But you know, it doesn't mean I have to agree.' The US president was speaking while on Air Force One, as he travels back to the US following a five day trip in Scotland. He says he did not discuss recognition with Sir Keir during their bilateral meeting on Monday. Alex Croft30 July 2025 01:00 Young mother struggles to breastfeed 11-month old son in Deir Al-Balah Noura, 27, carefully cradled her 11-month toddler while waiting in line to get him screened for malnutrition at CARE's primary healthcare centre in Deir Al-Balah. He has already missed some of his developmental milestones like crawling and teething. 'My son is supposed to be drinking formula milk, but there is none to offer. I give him an empty feeding bottle just to distract him,' Noura told CARE. 'I am barely able to breastfeed him, my milk has almost dried up because I'm also not eating well.' Alex Croft30 July 2025 00:00 Recognition 'rewards Hamas for 7 October', says Reform Recognising Palestine as a state only serves to reward Hamas for its actions on the 7 October, a Reform spokesperson has said. The spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'Recognising Palestine as a state does little more than reward Hamas for their actions on October 7. 'This decision is being made at the wrong time and is a knee-jerk reaction by Keir Starmer to appease the hard left forces inside and outside of his party.' Alex Croft29 July 2025 23:30 Davey: Palestine recognition should not be used as a bargaining chip Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has criticised the government's use of Palestinian statehood as a bargaining chip with Israel. 'Recognition of the state of Palestine should not be used as a bargaining chip,' Sir Ed wrote on X. 'It should have happened months ago. We also need far greater action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including fully ceasing arms sales and implementing sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.' Alex Croft29 July 2025 23:10 Corbyn: 'Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now leads the Independent Alliance of MPs in parliament, has responded to Sir Keir Starmer's Palestinian statehood announcement. 'Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip. It is not a threat,' Mr Corbyn wrote on X. 'It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people. 'Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.' Alex Croft29 July 2025 22:57 Saudi Arabia and France call on UN countries to support declaration on two-state solution Saudi Arabia and France on Tuesday called on countries at the United Nations to support a declaration that outlines "tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps" towards implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The seven-page declaration is the result of an international conference at the UN this week - hosted by Saudi Arabia and France - on the decades-long conflict. The United States and Israel boycotted the event. "We call on you to support this document before the end of the 79th session of the General Assembly by contacting the missions of Saudi Arabia and France in New York," Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told the conference on Tuesday. "Following the ceasefire, a transitional administrative committee must be immediately established to operate in Gaza under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority," it reads. The Palestinian Authority currently exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli occupation. Alex Croft
The Guardian
9 minutes ago
- The Guardian
An effigy of refugees, burned by a crowd: this is where Europe's brutal fantasy of border control has led us
The burning of an effigy of refugees on a boat to the cheers of a riled-up crowd in Moygashel, Northern Ireland shows where we are today. A decade has passed since Europe's border crisis in 2015 and the shock caused by the image of Alan Kurdi, whose little body was found washed up on a Turkish beach. Sentiments of welcome and solidarity were short lived and have given way to a seemingly never-ending obsession in Europe with 'stopping the boats' and reducing the number of migrant arrivals. In the decade since Angela Merkel's 'we can do it', we have become used to hearing that 2015 must not be allowed to happen again. Across Europe, politicians routinely vow to fight migration, 'smash' smuggling gangs, ramp up border controls and build up detention and deportation capacities. A much-criticised migration pact was agreed upon while the annual budget of Frontex, the EU border agency, has seen a staggering increase, from €97.9m in 2014 to €922m in 2024. Entire border zones have become militarised and the guarding of borders has been 'externalised' so that non-EU countries can prevent migration on Europe's behalf. In this past decade, we have also become desensitised to the inevitable consequences of such repressive policies in terms of human suffering and loss. Reports and images of people forced into Libyan torture and rape sites, described by German diplomats as 'concentration camp-like' in 2017, no longer prompt a public outcry. Neither do the deaths of thousands in the Mediterranean every year or the criminalisation of activists who seek to avert mass drowning. Shipwrecks have become so common that they hardly make it into the news. What does make the news, however, is the discourse on migration that characterises it as an emergency. Often dominating headlines, it has become a permanent feature, a sort of enduring state of exception that far-right forces capitalise on. Instead of offering alternative visions of migration, parties of the so-called 'centre' or 'mainstream' amplify such crisis talk, catering to simplistic control fantasies and offering one solution only: more borders. Whether it's the Christian Democrats or the Social Democrats in Germany, Labour in the UK or Emmanuel Macron's government in France, mainstream parties seek to outdo parties to the right of them by pushing increasingly extreme and racist narratives, at times dangerously close to invasion and 'great replacement' conspiracies. In January, the French prime minister, François Bayrou, spoke of a 'feeling of submersion' in view of the migrant presence in France. In May, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, suggested that the UK was at risk of turning into an 'island of strangers'. In June, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, claimed on Fox News that the past decade's migration to Germany had led to 'imported' antisemitism, so that fighting antisemitism meant fighting migration. Promising to solve societal problems through repressive migration policies and more borders, these 'centrist' or even 'progressive' political leaders are selling a dangerous fantasy. In a world riven by war, genocide, economic disparity, a climate catastrophe and growing authoritarianism, borders will never succeed in averting people's desire and need to migrate or flee. Indeed, the fantasy of borders is met, time and again, by reality: ongoing migration. Distracting from the inability to address any of the structural issues underpinning migration and displacement, and in ever-greater desperation, we are being served 'border spectacles' – performative but nonetheless violent and racist acts of exclusion, demarcating those who supposedly belong and those who do not. In the long shadow of the 'crisis' of 2015, we see intersecting developments across Europe that should worry us. First, a shift to the far right and growing authoritarianism. In Germany, the extremist Alternative for Germany (AfD) has comfortably established itself as the largest opposition party, at times leading in the polls, as do the Reform UK and National Rally parties in the UK and France respectively. Supposedly mainstream political parties have not only failed to stop the rise of the far right, they have contributed to mainstreaming their rhetoric and authoritarian policies. More than that, by intensifying migration cooperation with repressive regimes outside Europe, they have contributed to the rise of authoritarianism elsewhere. Tunisia serves as one of many examples where Europe's financial and political support has strengthened the security apparatus of its authoritarian leader, Kais Saied, who himself has spewed great replacement theories on migration. Second, a shift away from the idea of a 'post-national' community. The constant promise that borders will solve migration has reinforced the illusion that renationalisation is the answer. The departure of the UK from the EU, whose disastrous 'taking back of control' in fact prompted an increase in migration post-Brexit, may be the most obvious example. Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion However, throughout the EU, we see an increase in 'borderisation' – the erection of barriers and border controls between member states – as a way to supposedly reclaim 'lost' sovereignty. The very core of the European project – internal freedom of movement – is at risk and points to a growing estrangement from the idea of Europe as a post-national community. Third, an assault on legal norms and institutions. The normalisation of anti-migration violence, including through mass pushbacks, has led to a clear erosion of human rights. Indeed, some EU member states have legalised human rights violations at borders while Greece decided to temporarily suspend asylum altogether this July. International institutions meant to protect refugees, including the UN refugee agency, have been under assault while we see a concerted hollowing out of international rights standards and the gradual death of asylum. Even if the European obsession with borders fails to do what is desired – effective deterrence – it has real and dangerous consequences, for those seeking refuge and for us all. The burning of an effigy of refugees is what happens after a decade of dehumanisation. In the intervening years, many – from the supposed centre to the far right – have implanted a dangerous border fantasy that will continue to divide, hurt and kill. Dr Maurice Stierl is a migration and border researcher at the University of Osnabrück, Germany
