Tuesday, July 28, 2026

I will challenge Trump to defend UK interests, Andy Burnham declares

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will call out President Donald Trump if defending the United Kingdom’s national interests requires it.

• July 28, 2026
Trump with Burnham
Trump with Burnham

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he will call out President Donald Trump if defending the United Kingdom’s national interests requires it.

“If it’s right for the UK, I’ll be willing to call [Trump] out. It’s the right thing for every leader to do,” Mr Burnham stated in an interview with the BBC on Monday. “You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly.”

Mr Burnham, who noted that he found Mr Trump “warm” in their first exchange, said he would definitely voice a different idea as long as it is in the UK’s interest.

“It’s a changing world, isn’t it? And you just obviously have to call things as they develop. I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him (Mr Trump), that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain,” the new UK leader stated.

The UK PM stated that he had expressed “concern” about Mr Trump starting the war with Iran, adding he “wouldn’t hold back from saying what I think is right”.

Mr Burnham’s statement came amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. Days ago, the British government said it would defend itself after Iran announced that the UK bases used by the U.S. would be considered legitimate targets for its attacks.

Since the war started, the UK has allowed the U.S. to launch attacks from the bases, while refraining from participating in the military offensives.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

John Mahama

Economy

Ghana exits IMF programme with inflation down, reserves up; final $371 million disbursement approved

The executive board of IMF Monday completed the sixth and final review of the $3 billion, 39-month arrangement under the ECF for Ghana.

Dakuku Peterside

Economy

Green maritime offers competitive advantage for global shipping: Dakuku Peterside

Mr Peterside made the declaration as a keynote speaker at a high-level webinar organised by Naturehedge.

LASEPA agents

Lagos

LASEPA seals six steel firms over environmental violations

LASEPA has sealed six iron and steel manufacturing companies in Ikorodu over alleged environmental violations.

Health

UN allocates $2 million for Ebola emergency response in Rwanda

The UN has allocated $2 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to strengthen Ebola outbreak preparedness in Rwanda.

States

Police make arrests in Plateau mob killing

The police command in Plateau has arrested three persons over the alleged mob killing of a 25-year-old man in Jos.

Economy

NAFDAC seals factories over banned sachets, PET bottles of alcoholic drinks

NAFDAC has sealed three factories in Ogun State for producing banned sachet and PET bottles of alcoholic drinks below 200ml.