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US air strikes: Nigel Farage turns on Donald Trump over Syria bombings

The ex-Ukip leader said he is 'surprised' by the US President's order

Joe Watts
Political Editor
Friday 07 April 2017 06:34 EDT
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US air strikes: Nigel Farage turns on Donald Trump over Syria bombings

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Nigel Farage has criticised Donald Trump for the first time following the US President’s order for military action in Syria.

The former Ukip leader who enjoy close ties with Mr Trump said he was surprised by the move and thought the President’s supporters would be wondering “where will it all end?”.

He warned Prime Minister Theresa May against following the Americans into another military intervention in the Middle East.

Mr Farage has been hailed by the US President, who asked the Ukip leader to speak at election campaign rallies, as well as inviting him to become the first British politician to meet him after his shock victory.

But following the missile strike on the Syrian airbase, anti-interventionist Mr Farage said: “I am very surprised by this.

“I think a lot of Trump voters will be waking up this morning and scratching their heads and saying 'where will it all end?'

“As a firm Trump supporter, I say, yes, the pictures were horrible, but I'm surprised. Whatever Assad's sins, he is secular.”

THAT photo, showing Arron Banks (second from left) and Andy Wigmore (second from right) outside Donald Trump's gold-plated front door Twitter/Leave.EU
THAT photo, showing Arron Banks (second from left) and Andy Wigmore (second from right) outside Donald Trump's gold-plated front door Twitter/Leave.EU (Twitter/Leave.EU)

He then urged Britain not to get involved in any further strikes, saying: “Previous interventions in the Middle East have made things worse rather than better.”

In the immediate aftermath of Mr Trump’s election win, Mr Farage caused embarrassment in Downing Street when he became the first British politician to meet the soon-to-be US President.

Mr Trump even broke all diplomatic convention by suggesting the ex-Ukip leader could become the new British ambassador in Washington.

Trump orders missile strike on Syria after chemical weapon attack on civilians

Mr Farage’s words followed comments from Ukip’s current leader Paul Nuttall, who said: “The whole world rightly condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but the US attack on the Assad regime does nothing to lower tensions, nor will it hasten peace in that country.

“Too often rash responses to horrific situations are about the conscience of the attacker, rather than a clear-headed response to an awful situation.

“There are currently no good options in Syria. Assad or Isis is not a choice anyone would wish to make. But firing off missiles in an enraged response shows weakness not strength in the face of horror. I hoped for better from this administration.”

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