Sir Keir Starmer was handed a personalised revolver loaded with live ammunition by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Nato summit in Ankara – a stark backdrop to his final appearance as prime minister on the world stage. The gun, engraved with Starmer's name, has been left with British officials in Turkey who are expected to decommission it. A similar gift was given to every Nato leader at the summit.
The exchange came as Starmer and US President Donald Trump shared a brief cordial moment. Asked whether Trump had wished him well after Starmer's resignation announcement last month, the prime minister said: “Yes he did, and we're going to stay in touch.” But their relationship has been rocky: Trump previously mocked Starmer as “no Winston Churchill” over Britain's refusal to allow UK bases to be used for US-Israel strikes on Iran, and on Wednesday repeated his criticism of the UK's response to the conflict.
“Starmer received a loaded gun from Erdogan at his final Nato summit as a £37bn missile deal was announced.”
Despite the tensions, Starmer insisted their personal rapport was solid. “We've always got on as two individuals,” he told broadcasters, adding that a “good relationship” between a UK prime minister and a US president is “really important for my country.” The strategic alliance, he said, is “hugely important” in defence and security, with the two nations working “together 24/7.”
On the summit's main business, Starmer convened around a dozen Nato allies to unveil the Deep Precision Strike project – a £37bn ($50bn) plan over 10 years for a new long-range missile to protect Europe. The weapon, billed as one of Nato's most advanced, will be able to strike targets up to 1,250 miles away with pinpoint accuracy, though it is not expected to be ready until the 2030s.
“We must step up to deliver a stronger, more European Nato,” Starmer said. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the project reflects “a recognition that we're in a more dangerous world,” and that it is “about how we make sure we have a stronger Europe within a stronger Nato.”
The announcement comes as Trump pushes Nato members to hit a 5% of GDP defence spending target by 2035 – a goal Britain has not yet set out a plan for. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced a six-month review of US forces in Europe. Meanwhile, Nato has scrambled fighters to intercept Russian aircraft approaching allied airspace more than 700 times, with Russian military activity around UK waters surging 30%.
Back in Britain, Starmer's resignation has set the stage for a new leader. Andy Burnham, the only candidate so far, received the backing of 43 London Labour MPs and could become prime minister on 20 July if elected. The contest to replace Starmer as Labour leader is now under way, with Burnham's strong support among MPs moving him closer to Downing Street.
