British Prime Minister David Cameron should apologise for his disparaging remarks about Donald Trump – who is now almost certain to become the Republican Presidential candidate after a crushing defeat of his main rival Ted Cruz last night – according to a key Trump campaign advisor.
Mr. Cameron has called the Republican candidate “divisive stupid and wrong” for remarks about restricting Muslim immigration to the United States, something which Trump advisor George Papadopoulos thinks warrants an apology.
Mr. Papadopoulos also blasted President Obama’s intervention in the EU referendum campaign, and stressed that Britain’s relationship with the U.S. would flourish, Brexit or not.
In December 2015, Mr. Cameron told the House of Commons that Mr. Trump would “unite us all against him” if he visited the United Kingdom – a statement that looks increasingly curious, given Mr. Trump’s proximity to the GOP nomination and indeed recent polling against Hillary Clinton, which shows the pair neck and neck in the race for the White House.
Mr Papadopoulos, who forms part of Mr. Trump’s foreign policy team told the Times last night:
“First we need an invitation… Of course if the United Kingdom extended an invitation it would be a tremendous show of unity and a wonderful spectacle. That invitation has not yet been extended… but if it is it would be received in a positive way.”
When asked if Mr Trump would forgive Mr Cameron, he remarked: “I can’t speak directly for him but it would seem that if prime minister Cameron is serious about reaching out, not only to Mr Trump’s advisers but to the man himself, an apology or some sort of retraction should happen.
“It’s unfortunate that prime minister Cameron was one of the most outspoken critics of Mr Trump. Not even the Chinese premier came out with negative statements, or other European leaders,” Mr Papadopoulos said.
“To see Mr Cameron come out as the most vocal opponent was uncalled for. Considering that we believe that the UK-US relationship should be a cornerstone not just of Nato policy but elsewhere it would be wise for him to reach out in a more positive manner to Mr Trump.”
And Mr Papadopoulos stressed that the Trump campaign believes strongly in the UK-US relationship, stating: “We believe that if the US engages heavily with the UK once again the UK won’t lean so heavily towards China as it has over the last year or so”.
He also called President Barack Obama’s intervention in the EU referendum campaign a “blunder of historic proportions”, stressing that “The will of the people is paramount in this decision. Whether the UK remains in a reformed EU or opts for Brexit the relationship with the US will survive, adapt and remain resilient”.
“Mr Trump has no opinion,” he concluded: “it is for the British people to decide.”