Sir Richard Dearlove said Mr Trump’s possible return to the White House could be “problematic” for the UK if he “damages the Atlantic Alliance”. Mr Trump is currently the Republican frontrunner to enter the US presidential race later this year. Sir Richard Dearlove said the American nuclear umbrella is essential to Europe’s security (Stefan Rousseau/PA)Sir Richard, who led MI6 between 1999 and 2004, highlighted the potential issue of Mr Trump’s re-election when asked on the Sky News programme Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips about the biggest threats the UK should be paying attention to in 2024. “We’ve put all our eggs in defence terms in the Nato basket. “If Trump really is serious about, as it were, changing the balance, I mean, the American nuclear umbrella for Europe is, in my view, essential to Europe’s security and defence.”

Source: The Times January 14, 2024 12:35 UTC