US PRESIDENT Donald Trump sparked fury in London and yet another pointed rebuke from Prime Minster Theresa May Friday after he claimed "loser terrorists" behind a botched London train attack were known to British police.
Trump took to Twitter to condemn an attack on a packed London Underground train that injured 22 people, but also appeared to suggest the UK authorities had dropped the ball.
"Another attack in London by a loser terrorist," the US president tweeted. "These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!" Trump said, appearing to reveal undisclosed intelligence from the headquarters of London's Metropolitan police force.
That electronic broadside brought a terse public response from May, who warned the US president and others not to speculate.
"I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation," May told journalists in London.
Trump's latest comments were similarly described as "unhelpful" by London's Metropolitan Police.
Nick Timothy, May's former chief of staff, also branded the US leader's tweet "unhelpful."
"True or not - and I'm sure he doesn't know - this is so unhelpful from leader of our ally and intelligence partner," Timothy wrote on Twitter.
Trump's keenness to underline a series of UK terror attacks, virtually in real time, has led to repeated outcry across the Atlantic that has helped indefinitely delay his much-vaunted state visit to Britain.
In May, British officials were furious after their US counterparts leaked shared material about an investigation into a bomb attack at a concert by pop star Ariana Grande in Manchester which left 22 dead.
The bomber's identity and details of the probe leaked to US media before British officials felt ready to disclose them.
After an attack in London last June, Trump lashed London's Muslim mayor Sadiq Khan for telling the public there was "no reason to be alarmed" over armed police on the streets.
On that occasion, prime minister May was forced to upbraid Trump, saying "I think Donald Trump is wrong in what he said about Sadiq Khan in the aftermath of the London Bridge attack."
In March, the White House left UK spooks apoplectic when it cited unproven media reports that President Barack Obama had asked Britain's signals intelligence agency, GCHQ, to monitor then-candidate Trump in order to "make sure there were no American fingerprints."
The normally tight-lipped agency called the allegations "nonsense," adding that "they are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."
Trump today (15) also used the London train attack to renew calls for his controversial ban on travelers from several predominantly Muslim countries - a rallying cry of his right-wing base who have recently been angered by his support for an amnesty for some migrants.
"The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific - but stupidly, that would not be politically correct," the president said in a series of tweets.
"Loser terrorists must be dealt with in a much tougher manner. The internet is their main recruitment tool which we must cut off & use better!" he added, without elaborating.
But that domestic political message risked upending the decades old trans-Atlantic relationship.
Speaking in London yesterday (14), secretary of state Rex Tillerson hailed a relationship that is "as special today as it has ever been."
That premise looks set to be tested when Trump, as he also announced today, calls May to discuss the attack in the coming days.
(AFP)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)