- Trump's Claim: US President Donald Trump stated NATO troops, including British forces, stayed "a little back, off the front lines" during the Afghanistan war, questioning alliance reliability in a Fox News Davos interview.
- UK Outrage: Politicians across parties—Labour's Emily Thornberry, Lib Dems' Ed Davey, Tory Ben Obese-Jecty—called remarks "the ultimate insult" and "plainly wrong," citing 457 British deaths over 20 years.
- Veterans' Response: Former soldiers like Defence Minister Al Carns and MP Calvin Bailey rejected the portrayal, highlighting intense Helmand combat alongside US forces in Sangin and other hotspots.
- Families' Distress: Mother of injured soldier Ben Parkinson labelled comments an insult to sacrifices; cross-party unity demands recognition of NATO's frontline role post-9/11 Article 5 invocation.
- Broader Context: Remarks amid NATO tensions, including Trump's Greenland threats, contrast shared US-UK losses and prompt calls for PM Starmer to address Trump directly.
London (Washington Insider Megazines) January 23, 2026 – US President Donald Trump has sparked outrage in the UK by claiming NATO troops, including British forces, stayed “a little back, off the front lines” during the Afghanistan war. UK politicians across parties, veterans, and families of fallen soldiers described the remarks as “the ultimate insult” and “plainly wrong,” honouring 457 British deaths in the 20-year conflict.
Trump made the statements in a Fox News interview at Davos on January 22, questioning NATO’s reliability amid alliance tensions.
The comments have prompted swift condemnations from Labour MP Emily Thornberry, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, and others, who rejected the portrayal of allied contributions.
Trump questions NATO support in Davos interview
Credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
During the Thursday interview with Fox News at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump expressed doubt about NATO’s willingness to aid the US if requested.
“I’ve always questioned whether they would be there if we ever needed them, and that’s truly the ultimate test. I’m not confident about that,”
he stated. Trump added,
“We have never really needed them, nor have we asked much of them. They may claim to have deployed some troops to Afghanistan or elsewhere, but they stayed a little back, off the front lines.”
He framed NATO involvement as a “two-way street,” insisting the US had been generous to Europe and others.
UK politicians condemn Trump’s frontline claim
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, labelled Trump’s words “an absolute insult” to the 457 British service members killed in Afghanistan. Speaking on BBC’s Question Time, she said, “How dare he question their sacrifice? It’s much more than a mistake; it’s an insult. How dare he say we weren’t on the front line?”independent+1
Thornberry criticised Trump as a man who “has never seen any action” now serving as commander-in-chief, calling his behaviour “bullying and rude” towards the UK and NATO. Care minister Stephen Kinnock told Sky News the claims “just doesn’t really add up,” noting NATO’s Article 5 invocation post-9/11 to aid the US.bbc+1
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey expressed outrage, stating, “How dare he question their sacrifice?”bbc
Veterans highlight frontline sacrifices in Helmand
Credit: iStock
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment who served in Afghanistan, called it “sad to see our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States.” He referenced horrific casualties in Sangin suffered by British soldiers and subsequent US Marines, adding,
“I don’t believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies.”
Labour MP and former RAF officer Calvin Bailey, who served alongside US special operations units, said Trump’s claim “bears no resemblance to the reality experienced by those of us who served there.” Defence minister Al Carns slammed the remarks as “deeply disappointing” and “plainly wrong.”independent
Families of injured soldiers voice ultimate insult
Credit: news.sky.com
Diane Parkinson, mother of British soldier Ben Parkinson who suffered severe injuries in Afghanistan, described Trump’s comments as “the ultimate insult.” Her statement amplified distress among bereaved families rejecting the downplaying of sacrifices.
UK leaders across the spectrum have united in rebuttals, with calls for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to address Trump directly.
NATO invoked Article 5 post-9/11 for Afghanistan
NATO allies, including the UK, joined the US in Afghanistan from 2001 after the alliance invoked Article 5—the collective defence clause—for the first and only time following the September 11 attacks. British forces deployed tens of thousands over two decades, suffering 457 fatalities mainly in Helmand province.Troops engaged in counterinsurgency, training Afghan forces, and stabilisation alongside US and other NATO units, facing intense combat in areas like Sangin.
Trump’s NATO rhetoric amid Greenland tensions
Trump’s Davos remarks follow recent controversies, including threats to control Greenland—a Danish territory—prompting tariffs warnings on opposing European nations. He later discussed Arctic security with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, establishing a framework, but transatlantic relations remain strained.
Trump has consistently criticised NATO spending and reliability, though allies note US benefits from the post-9/11 response.
British forces’ role in Helmand and beyond
UK troops led operations in Helmand from 2006, enduring some of the war’s fiercest fighting against Taliban insurgents. Casualties mounted in districts like Sangin, where British units preceded US Marines facing similar intensity.
The mission encompassed combat, mentoring Afghan security forces, and development efforts until the 2021 withdrawal.
Cross-party UK unity against Trump’s portrayal
Condemnations span Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, with ex-Navy chief joining in calling the claim “disgraceful and wrong.” Thornberry urged distinguishing UK-US friendship from Trump’s conduct.
Veterans’ groups emphasise shared sacrifices with US forces, countering the narrative of limited allied frontline roles.
Ongoing legacy of Afghanistan for UK veterans
UK veterans continue advocating for welfare support, tying accurate historical accounts to recognition of their service. Remarks minimising contributions reopen debates on the conflict’s costs and outcomes.
The UK maintains diplomatic engagement with the US despite frictions, focusing on NATO cohesion.