Donald Trump’s claim that the “Far-Left” Labour Party in Britain is interfering in the US elections was slapped down by a Cabinet minister on Wednesday.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted it was people linked to Labour acting as individuals going out to campaign for Democrat Kamala Harris, not any action organised by the party.
As the row grew, Sir Keir Starmer insisted his relationship with Trump is not in jeopardy as he seeks a second term in the White House, with polls suggesting the presidential race is too close to call.
A statement on Mr Trump’s website, DonaldJTrump.com on Tuesday night announced an official complaint had been filed with US federal election officials, and claimed the Labour Party had “made, and the Harris campaign has accepted, illegal foreign national contributions”.
The complaint follows reports of senior Labour officials meeting with the Kamala Harris campaign, and Labour Party staffers volunteering on the ground for her campaign.
It appeared to centre to some extent on a social post by Sofia Patel, Head of Operations at the Labour Party, which stated: “I have nearly 100 Labour Party staff (current and former) going to the US in the next few weeks heading to North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“I have 10 spots available for anyone available to head to the battleground state of North Carolina - we will sort your housing...Email me on....if you’re interested. Thanks!”
Asked about Trump’s allegations of interference, Mr Reed told Times Radio: “Some private individuals are choosing to spend their own money and their free time campaigning in the US during the election.
“That’s perfectly normal for supporters of one party in one country to campaign for a sister party in another.
“I’ve seen Americans here in our election as well, but none of this has been organised or paid for by the Labour Party.”
Pressed if the Labour Party had funded any of the trips, he responded: “No, as I understand it, people are hosted in the homes of supporters in the other country. And that’s perfectly normal. As I say, it happens both ways round.”
Pushed on whether the Labour Party was organising the accommodation, he stressed: “No”.
Asked if it was a mistake for senior staffers to have met with the Harris campaign, Sir Keir insisted any members of his party were in the US on an entirely voluntary basis, similar to in previous elections.
“That’s what they’ve done in previous elections, is what they’re doing in this election. And that’s really straightforward,” he told reporters as he travelled to Samoa for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
Pressed further about whether Labour officials’ involvement in the Harris-Waltz Democrat campaign could jeopardise his relationship with Trump if the ex-president wins re-election, Sir Keir replied: “No.”
He added: “I spent time in New York with President Trump, had dinner with him, and my purpose in doing that was to make sure that between the two of us we established a good relationship, which we did, and I was very grateful to him for making the time.”
After describing the meeting as a “good, constructive discussion”, Sir Keir added: “Of course as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, I will work with whoever the American people return as their president in the elections that are very close now.”
The statement on DonaldJTrump.com on Tuesday night said that “The Trump-Vance Campaign has filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint against the Harris-Walz Campaign and the Labour Party of the United Kingdom for illegal foreign campaign contributions and interference in our elections”.
It also also claims: “The Harris campaign’s acceptance and use of this illegal foreign assistance is just another feeble attempt in a long line of anti-American election interference.”
“The far-left Labour Party has inspired Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies and rhetoric. In recent weeks, they have recruited and sent party members to campaign for Kamala in critical battleground states, attempting to influence our election.”
The linked complaint addressed to the Federal Election Commission refers to reports by The Telegraph newspaper with regards to people associated with Labour going to the US to campaign for Ms Harris.
The letter also refers to a report in the Washington Post which claims that advice has been offered between the Labour Party and Ms Harris’ campaign, and other reporting regarding meetings between senior Labour staff and the Democratic campaign.
The complaint also references the social media post, which now appears to have been deleted, in which a Labour staff member appeared to have said there were “nearly 100 Labour Party staff (current and former) going to the US in the next few weeks” to swing states.
Sir Keir met with Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, during a trip to New York last month.
The Prime Minister visited Trump Tower for talks ahead of the US election, and said he wanted to meet Trump face-to-face because “I’m a great believer in personal relationships on the world stage”.
