The deputy prime minister and lord chancellor today smoothed over transatlantic geopolitical tensions with a speech hailing the special relationship between the US and UK.
At an event marking the start of the 250th anniversary year of the declaration of independence, David Lammy said the US 'will continue to lead the free world and the values that have shaped it'. He pledged: 'The UK will still be its closest ally and most dependable partner'.
The long-scheduled event at George Washington's home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, came two days after the prime minister's attack on President Trump's statement on Greenland - and amid parliamentary controversy over the seizure of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela.
Acknowledging that during his studies in the US he learned 'we do not agree on everything', Lammy said: 'I stand here with deep confidence in our shared future. It is a bond rooted in history and culture. In a shared legal history and an unswerving commitment to freedom of speech.'
'Our philosophies can be different: on law, on government, and on monarchy. But we are family. The United Kingdom looks forward to working closely with this administration, as our two nations continue to work together to honour George Washington’s legacy and the ideas that continue to define peace and prosperity not just here and in the UK, but around the globe.'
During his US visit, Lammy is expected to meet US Supreme Justice Elena Kagan at the Supreme Court and members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
He will then travel to Toronto to gather information on how judge-alone trials operate in the province of Ontario and what lessons could be learned for court reform in England and Wales.
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