Donald Trump told Britain to ‘go get your own oil’ yesterday, sparking questions about how the Government plans to deal with the global fuel crisis.
MPs accused Keir Starmer of being a ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’ with no clear blueprint for the future.
As the Prime Minister called yet another meeting to discuss the issue, it emerged that Britain’s last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours.
With Iran continuing to choke off the Strait of Hormuz as the war drags on, there are also concerns about supplies of diesel as the UK relies heavily on imports.
But as other nations set out emergency plans for dealing with potential shortages, ministers insisted Britain should carry on as normal.
Industry insiders said that, while the Government did not want the public to panic, there appeared to be ‘no plan’.
Keir Starmer will hold a Downing Street press conference later today on the ongoing situation in the Middle East and how the Government is supporting families at home.
Yesterday’s Cobra meeting followed a gathering of oil, banking and shipping executives the day before.
One senior fuel industry source said: ‘We could be weeks away from thinking about having to ration jet fuel and possibly diesel.
‘The fact there’s nothing more concrete in terms of being upfront about that makes it seem like there’s no plan. You don’t want to leave it too late. People need to plan.’
In a post on his Truth Social network, the US President took another swipe at Britain yesterday.
Mr Trump raged: ‘All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.
‘You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated.
‘The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!’
His Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, joined the taunting, mocking the ‘big, bad Royal Navy’ as he said Mr Trump had been ‘clear’ in his social media post ‘that there are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up’ to re-open the Strait.
It came as the cost of filling up the average family car with diesel at the pumps surged past £100 for the first time since the war started, sparking fresh calls for the Chancellor to ditch the fuel duty hike coming later this year.
Several other countries have either cut petrol taxes or capped forecourt prices to help hard-pressed motorists. Last week, Rachel Reeves pledged support on bills ‘for those that need it most’ but with little detail and nothing coming immediately.
Yesterday it was predicted the energy price cap will surge by £288 a year for the average household from July.
Mr Trump sent global oil prices soaring again to $119 a barrel yesterday following his online rebuke of the PM and other allies, meaning pain at the pumps is likely to continue for weeks.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said Sir Keir was acting like a ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’.
Less than an hour after Mr Trump’s broadside, it was confirmed that the King will fly to the US for a state visit later this month.
Downing Street will hope Charles can woo Mr Trump by pushing him to de-escalate the conflict while softening his tone.
But Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, who led a backlash from the Left against the visit, said: ‘To send the King on a state visit to the US after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as ‘toys’ is a humiliation, and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies.
‘What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make the Government see sense and cancel the visit?’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also appeared to accuse the PM of being weak, adding: ‘If Donald Trump says something that is against British national interests or is rude, I think we should absolutely push back on that.’
Posting again online, Mr Trump crowed that the ‘historic’ state visit, set to take place from April 27 to April 30, will include ‘a beautiful banquet dinner’, adding: ‘I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!’ Ministers hope there will be some respite by the time Charles leaves for Washington and cost-of-living pressures will have eased.
European governments were yesterday told to consider cutting back on oil and gas use, especially in the transport sector, in preparation for ‘prolonged disruption’ to energy supplies.
The European Commission in Brussels said countries should consider ‘voluntary demand-saving measures’, including asking citizens to drive or fly less. Several Asian countries have brought in similar moves, while Australia has set out a four-point plan for fuel to be rationed and funnelled towards critical sectors such as emergency services if supplies continue to be squeezed.
By contrast, UK ministers have insisted there is no need for such a plan. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, said the Government was not encouraging personal rationing and that ‘people should go about their lives as normal knowing that the Government is taking action to bring energy bills down’.
Airlines UK, the body representing major carriers, insisted there were currently no problems with jet fuel supplies. A spokesman said: ‘UK airlines are currently not seeing disruption to fuel supply and continue to engage with suppliers and Government to monitor the situation.’
