Starmer and Trump stress 'close and warm ties' in call

SIR Keir Starmer and Donald Trump discussed the importance of "close and warm ties" between the UK and the United States and agreed to meet "soon" in their first call since the inauguration, Downing Street said.

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The talks, which lasted 45 minutes, came hours after the US president heaped praise on the Prime Minister for having done what he described as "a very good job thus far".

In a read-out of the conversation, Number 10 said Mr Trump had opened by sending his condolences to Sir Keir after the death of his brother, Nick, who had cancer and died on Boxing Day.

Sir Keir thanked him for his kind words and "congratulated him on his inauguration", Downing Street said.