Keir Starmer will 'work closely' with Trump even if he turns military on political opponents

Keir Starmer would "work closely" with Donald Trump even if he sent the military to persecute his political opponents, his spokesperson has confirmed.

The former US President has repeatedly used the phrase "the enemy within" to describe his political opponents - specifically mentioning former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leading Democrat Adam Schiff.

And he's threatened to use the military to "handle" them if he is re-elected next month.

Describing "the enemy within" as "sick people, radical left lunatics," who might create trouble during the election, he told Fox News: "I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen."

Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, the PM's deputy spokesperson insisted the "special relationship" between the UK and US was a "strong and enduring partnership which has endured for over a century with leaders of all political stripes, and that will always be the case."

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Asked if the Special Relationship was strong enough to withstand a US President deploying the military to "handle" their political opponents, they added: "The UK has always and will always work closely with whoever the American people choose as their President. The UK and the US have been steadfast allies for over a century."

Overnight it was reported Mr Trump had said he needs "the kind of generals Hitler had," as his former chief of staff John Kelly branded him a "fascist".

The Atlantic reported Mr Trump had said in a private White House conversation: "I need the kind of generals that Hitler had. People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders."

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A Trump Campaign spokesman denied the claim, saying it was "absolutely false."

Mr Kelly told the New York Times: "Looking at the definition of fascism: It's a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy."

He said the term 'fascist' accurately describes Mr Trump, adding: "In my experience, those are the kinds of things that he thinks would work better in terms of running America."