Environment Secretary Steve Reed hit back as Donald Trump revealed plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Reed gave Trump “credit for the role that he played” in securing the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but declined to comment further on the assertion and whether the UK Government would support the move.
He told Sky News: “It is the view of the United Kingdom Government that Palestinians should be able to return to their homes and rebuild their shattered lives.”
“They need to be able to return to their homes and then start to rebuild them. They will need an awful lot of support from the international community to do that.”
He said that “lasting peace” could only be secured through a two-state solution.
Sir Keir Starmer continues to face questions over Donald Trump’s threats of aggressive trade tariffs, as the prime minister prepares for a PMQs clash with Kemi Badenoch.
Experts told The Independent this week that Sir Keir has been left “walking a tightrope” between the US and Europe, despite signs of optimism as Mr Trump claimed the UK was “out of line” on trade, “but… I think that one can be worked out”.
Priti Patel calls to ‘focus on hostages being released’ following Trump Gaza comments
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said “we have to focus on seeing the hostages being released, because that is absolutely pivotal. It is critical to bringing about a sustainable end to the conflict.”
When asked on Times Radio what she made of the US President’s comments on Gaza, she said: “These are remarks that he’s made overnight and obviously it’s provoked a number of comments.
“We will have to wait and see, because no one country will be able to do this on their own. Our partners, our allies, in the Gulf states and the Middle East, we’ve already heard from the Saudi government as well, they will all have a role to play.
“And, you know, there’s something else that we’ve all been discussing for many years, in fact, which is also the Abraham accords and normalising relations between […] with the Middle East and the United States.”
Bryony Gooch5 February 2025 08:33
Minister says two-state solution is key to “lasting peace” for Israel and Palestine amid Trump’s relocation plan
As Donald Trump states his plans for the US to “take over” Gaza, Environment Secretary Steve Reed declined to comment on the President’s plans.
Mr Reed was asked by Sky News whether the UK Government would support this and said: “I can tell you what the UK’s position on this is, and our view is that Palestinian civilians have been through a living life there for the last 14 months.
“They need to be able to return to their homes and then start to rebuild them. They will need an awful lot of support from the international community to do that.”
He said that “lasting peace” could only be secured through a two-state solution.
Pushed further, he said he would give the Government’s view but would not “provide a running commentary on the pronouncements of the President of the United States or any other world leader”.
Asked if those remarks were disparaging, Mr Reed added: “Not at all. I think we should give Donald Trump credit for the role that he played in securing this ceasefire in the first place.
“But it is the view of the United Kingdom Government that Palestinians should be able to return to their homes and rebuild their shattered lives.”
Bryony Gooch5 February 2025 08:22
How might Trump’s tariffs affect UK companies?
World leaders bickering, share prices dropping, companies fretting. On the other side of the Atlantic, President Trump’s vows to bring in tariffs for multiple countries exporting to the US – plus his stepping back from them at the last moment in some cases – has plenty of people wondering what it might mean on these shores.
UK companies won’t be exempt from the possible carnage, though of course who and how they will be affected will depend on their types of business: those who export to the US could face higher charges immediately, while those who buy in parts or raw materials might also be concerned if the UK takes China’s route and opts for retaliatory tariffs, too.
That’s still far from certain, of course, with the UK and the EU not the first areas in Donald Trump’s sights.
Business and money editor Karl Matchett reports:
Alex Croft5 February 2025 08:09
US and UK to discuss Chagos Islands deal this week
A proposed deal over the Chagos Islands will be the topic of discussions between UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell and his US counterpart Mike Waltz in Washington this week, the Financial Times reported.
It comes after a White House spokesperson told The Independent that President Trump has not given it his blessing despite reports that the UK and Mauritius have come to terms on a deal.
Britain wants US approval for the deal, due to the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
The Trump administration has reportedly been briefed on the plan by the UK – but allies of the president have been critical of it thus far.

Alex Croft5 February 2025 07:56
UK minister: ‘Palestinians should be able to return home’
A member of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet has hit back at Donald Trump’s suggestion Gaza should be turned into “the Riviera of the Middle East”, arguing Palestinians “need to be able to return to their homes”.
In a rebuke to the US president’s suggestion, environment secretary Steve Reed backed a two-state solution to the conflict and said Israel should exist alongside “a free and viable Palestinian state”.
“Palestinian civilians have been through a living nightmare for the last 14 months, they need to be able to return to their homes and start to rebuild them,” Mr Reed told Sky News.
He was the first member of the British government to respond to Mr Trump’s proposals, and denied being disparaging about the president.
“I think we should give Donald Trump credit for the role he played in securing the ceasefire in the first place, but it is the view of the UK government that Palestinians should be able to return to their homes,” he added.
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent5 February 2025 07:50
Chagos Islands deal could ‘dangerously’ fracture UK-US relationship – Farage
The Chagos Islands deal could “dangerously” damage the UK’s relationship with the Trump administration, Reform leader Nigel Farage said.
Giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands could prevent future trade agreements and may “considerably reduce” the UK’s value in the eyes of the White House, he added on Tuesday.
It comes after the prime minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, said Sir Keir Starmer is “confident” that a deal can be reached on the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The deal has caused controversy due to the existence of a UK-US military base on the largest island, Diego Garcia.
Alex Croft5 February 2025 07:40
Lammy commits £55 million package to Ukraine in Kyiv visit
Foreign secretary David Lammy has announced a £55 million package support package for Ukraine as he pays a visit to Kyiv.
The UK will commit £17 million towards sustainable energy projects, and £3 million for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other produce to Syria, among other commitments.
It comes following an 100-year partnership deal between the UK and Ukraine, setting out co-operation between the countries for the coming decades.
Alex Croft5 February 2025 07:32
Trump still considering Chagos Islands veto as Starmer tries to close deal
With reports that the UK and Mauritius have come to terms on a new agreement on the Indian Ocean archipelago, a White House spokesperson told The Independent that President Trump has not given it his blessing.
There are serious concerns about the top secret joint US/UK airbase on Diego Garcia and the potential for Chinese interference if the UK gives up sovereignty on the islands.
David Maddox, Andrew Feinberg and Archie Mitchell report:
Alex Croft5 February 2025 07:27
Good morning, we’ll be using this blog to bring you the latest updates on UK politics, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch’s clash at PMQs.
Andy Gregory5 February 2025 06:30