Keir Starmer is licking his wounds today after his efforts to bask in Donald Trump’s Gaza peace deal humiliatingly backfired.
The PM was accused of piggybacking on the breakthrough after he headed to Egypt for a signing ceremony yesterday.
But Sir Keir and other world leaders were left kicking their heels in Sharm el-Sheikh for several hours, as the president took accolades and met freed Hamas hostages in Israel.
Once Mr Trump arrived, the premier then stood fidgeting mutely behind him as he delivered a long speech – during which he noted that he did not like some of the leaders present, and remarked on the ‘beauty’ of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
At one point Mr Trump summoned the PM of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, to the podium and urged him to repeat lavish praise he had showered on the president earlier.
Mr Trump ran through the countries present alphabetically, meaning that Paraguay and Norway both received shout-outs from the commander-in-chief first.
Sir Keir thought his moment had come when the president finally asked ‘where is the United Kingdom’.
He awkwardly raised his arm and quipped, ‘behind you as usual’, before striding forward a few paces to shake Mr Trump’s hand.
‘Where is the United Kingdom? Come here,’ Mr Trump said, as a grinning PM walked up to him, seemingly ready to speak at the podium.
‘Is everything going good?’ Mr Trump asked Sir Keir, who replied, ‘Very good’.
‘It’s very nice that you’re here,’ the President said.
However, Sir Keir was left in limbo as rather than showing him to the podium to speak, Mr Trump merely turned his back and continued his own address.
The PM, lips pursed, had no other option but to trudge back to his place in the parade of leaders.
Ms Meloni, standing over Trump’s right shoulder, appeared amused by the exchange.
Sir Keir later tried to make the best of the situation by posting a photo of the moment he shook hands with Mr Trump on stage.
‘President Trump, this is your achievement. I thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this moment. The UK stands ready to support a full implementation of the peace plan,’ he wrote on X.
Tories compared Sir Keir to former Chelsea football star John Terry, who changed into full kit to lift the Champions League trophy despite not playing in the final.
He was accused of only travelling to Egypt for a ‘photo op’ after risking derailing the process by recognising Palestine as a state last month.
The Trump administration’s Middle East envoy earlier tried to cool tensions after the US ambassador to Israel branded a Cabinet minister ‘delusional’ for suggesting the UK played a ‘key role’.
Starmer was also challenged on Tony Blair’s role on the Gaza peace board, stating it’s ‘for others to decide’ if he forms part of Gaza’s new governing.
A peace plan floated by the White House last month listed Sir Tony as a member of the proposed board.
Starmer said: ‘I think the makeup of the peace board is still being discussed. For my part, I have to say, I’m much more interested in the practical steps.’
Pushed on the question about whether Blair should be involved, Starmer replied: ‘That’s for others to decide. Tony Blair was a great leader of our country, and would make a huge contribution.
‘But I’m not focused on which particular people sit on which particular board. I’m focused on what do we need to do tomorrow, and I mean tomorrow, to make sure this is implemented.’
The PM added that there are ‘discussions going on’ about who will be on the board – but he said he has not put himself forward.
Mr Trump arrived at the beach resort several hours late for the gathering of more than 20 world leaders.
No Israel or Hamas representatives were present at the signing, at which Mr Trump received Egypt’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Nile.
Leaders filed through to shake the hand of Mr Trump, who said the ‘historic agreement’ answered the ‘prayers of millions’.
Sir Keir was not the only leader to endure an awkward scene, with a bizarre encounter playing out between Mr Trump and Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Trump drew Mr Macron in for a warm handshake before the pair each placed an affectionate hand on the other’s upper arms. The embrace soon turned into something akin to an arm wrestle as the two exchanged what seemed like intense conversation while swinging their opposite number’s hand from side to side.
Mr Macron eventually freed himself from Mr Trump’s grasp and hurried off the stage. However, lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that the handshake was more than a casual greeting.
‘Nice to see you, so you agreed?’ Trump told Mr Macron, who turned from the camera and muttered an inaudible response. ‘Are you being genuine?’ Mr Trump asks as Mr Macron replies: ‘Of course.’
The US President then tightens his grip on Mr Macron before shooting back: ‘Okay, so now I want to know why, you hurt me. I already know.’
Mr Trump then squeezes Mr Macron’s hand again as the French leader looks down and away from the cameras.
It’s not clear what the pair were speaking about, however it comes weeks after Mr Macron was seen mocking Mr Trump with world leaders.
The two have a colourful history, often appearing friendly, despite occasionally criticising each other.
