“I Stand by My Words” – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
5:40 PM – Thursday, February 27, 2025
During a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the decline of free speech in the UK, which led to rising tensions between them.
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According to reports from UK media, Vance had previously upset Europeans at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month when he characterized the situation as “the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from its core values—values that we share with the United States.”
“I expressed my views, which acknowledge that we indeed have a special relationship with our friends in the UK and some of our European allies,” Vance stated when questioned by the media on Thursday.
“However, we also recognize that free speech infringements impact not just the British; while their actions are ultimately their decision, it also burdens American technology companies and, consequently, American citizens. This is something we will address today over lunch,” he elaborated.
Starmer, positioned just a short distance from Vance, defended his country’s regulatory stance.
“The United Kingdom has upheld free speech for an extensive period, and I believe it will continue to do so for many more years,” remarked the Labour Party leader.
“We certainly do not want to interfere with U.S. citizens, nor do we, which is fundamentally right,” he added, addressing Vance. “I take great pride in our history of free speech in the UK.”
At the Munich conference, Vance referenced instances in Europe where individuals faced criminal charges for activities that would be protected under the First Amendment in the U.S. One notable case involved Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and former British Army member, who was fined £9,000 ($11,346) for praying outside an abortion clinic, accused of violating a buffer zone.
“I wish I could claim this was an isolated incident—a random, outrageous example of poorly drafted legislation affecting one individual,” Vance stated at the time. “Regrettably, in Britain and throughout Europe, I fear that free speech is in decline.”
Vance had previously indicated that he intended to discuss his concerns regarding free speech with the British Prime Minister, who took office in July 2024, ahead of Starmer’s White House visit.
During their Oval Office conversation, Starmer also engaged in an extended discussion with Trump after the GOP President referenced European nations seeking reimbursement regarding the financial aid sent to Ukraine.
“We’re not getting all of ours back,” the Prime Minister responded. “I mean, a significant portion was a gift. There were some loans, but largely it was gifted, in fact.”
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