Trump accuses UK Labour of illegal US election interference
UK Labour party accused of illegal US election support by Trump
The controversy over alleged UK meddling in the US election intensified last night, despite Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to ease the transatlantic tension.
Donald Trump accused Labour this week of ‘blatant foreign interference’ in the upcoming November 5 election. This followed a call for 100 current and former party staffers to volunteer for his rival, Kamala Harris, in key states.
While it is legal for foreign nationals to volunteer in US campaigns without compensation, Mr Trump claimed Labour made ‘illegal’ foreign contributions.
Trump alleges UK ‘interference’ in US election
Labour Party activists have volunteered for the Democrats in battleground states, the former president’s campaign claimshttps://t.co/sciPxzF79u pic.twitter.com/WD04sRatEt
— RT (@RT_com) October 23, 2024
His campaign’s complaint to the US Federal Election Commission also mentioned a visit by the Prime Minister’s now-chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and director of communications, Matthew Doyle, to the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
Mr McSweeney, who was then the Prime Minister’s political strategist, attended the Chicago event in August, with the central party covering his expenses, as revealed yesterday.
Labour denied he advised Ms Harris’s campaign team, which would be illegal under US law. However, Dover MP Mike Tapp, part of the DNC delegation, contradicted this. He said they shared their campaign trail experiences after their landslide victory.
Trump Files Formal Complaint Of 'Election Interference' Against UK Labour Party
“When representatives of the British government previously sought to go door-to-door in America, it did not end well for them.” pic.twitter.com/1UaHvwic0J— Rami. (@ThrilledBe) October 23, 2024
Mr Trump’s legal team also referenced a now-deleted LinkedIn post by Sofia Patel, Labour’s head of operations. The post offered housing arrangements for volunteers in North Carolina, raising concerns about potential compensation.
John Lamont, the shadow Scottish secretary, criticised the Labour Government’s handling of the situation, questioning how the Prime Minister would mend relations with the US if Mr Trump won the election. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the move politically unwise.
Mr Trump’s allies pressured Downing Street. Richard Grenell, a former Director of National Intelligence, told the BBC that foreign interference in elections signifies desperation and warned against it.
Sir Keir and Cabinet ministers defended Labour’s actions, emphasising that campaigners did not receive compensation. The Prime Minister noted that volunteers often participate in foreign campaigns in their spare time, staying with other volunteers.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner echoed this, stating that individuals campaign in their own time and at their own expense.
Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Ruth Cadbury, was found to be among those campaigning for Ms Harris. She posted photos from New Hampshire in September, claiming she was doing her part to prevent Mr Trump’s victory. Ms Cadbury stated she funded her trip.
Due to the controversy, many Labour associates are now cancelling plans to volunteer in the US, according to party sources. A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed that it is common for international campaigners to volunteer in US elections, and Labour activists do so at their own expense, following legal guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Donald Trump accuse Labour of interfering in the US election?
Yes, Trump accused Labour of ‘blatant foreign interference’ in the election.
Is it legal for foreign nationals to volunteer in US campaigns?
Yes, it’s legal if they are not compensated.
What did Trump’s campaign allege about Labour’s actions?
They claimed Labour made ‘illegal’ foreign contributions and filed a complaint.
Did Labour deny advising Kamala Harris’s campaign?
Yes, Labour denied that McSweeney advised Harris’s campaign team.
How did the Labour Party respond to the controversy?
They emphasized that campaigners volunteered in their spare time and at their own expense.
