Posted on 04/01/2025 8:29:19 PM PDT by Morgana
President Donald Trump has warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that a free trade deal between the U.S. and the United Kingdom hinges on the UK addressing concerns over free speech.
Trump is specifically citing the prosecution of a 62-year-old pro-life grandmother as a sticking point.
The U.S. State Department said it is “closely monitoring” the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who faces trial for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth that read, “Here to talk if you want.”
Trump’s administration has tied the resolution of Tossici-Bolt’s case to ongoing trade negotiations, with a source close to the president reportedly saying there will be “no free trade without free speech.” The warning comes as Starmer scrambles to shield the UK from Trump’s proposed tariffs, set to take effect Wednesday, which could strain the British economy.
Starmer acknowledged the likelihood of the tariffs hitting the UK but expressed hope that a trade deal could mitigate their impact.
Tossici-Bolt, a retired medical scientist, was charged in early February with violating a Public Spaces Protection Order after standing near the Bournemouth abortion clinic, an action deemed to breach a 150-meter buffer zone established by the UK government last October to restrict protests near abortion facilities.
Her trial, which began February 17, has drawn international attention, with pro-life advocates rallying behind her cause. The Alliance Defending Freedom UK, representing her, argues her sign was a peaceful offer of support, not a protest, and that her prosecution infringes on her rights to free expression.
The U.S. State Department issued a rare statement Sunday, expressing “concern about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” and signaling that the outcome of Tossici-Bolt’s case, expected Friday, could influence bilateral relations. Trump, who has prioritized free speech in his administration’s foreign policy, reportedly rejected Starmer’s last-minute plea for more time to negotiate an exemption from the tariffs during a phone call Monday.
Starmer, speaking to reporters Tuesday, downplayed the tension, insisting the UK is engaged in “intense negotiations” with the U.S. to avoid a trade war.
“We’re not jumping into anything,” he said, sidestepping questions about whether Tossici-Bolt’s case could derail his economic plans.
Tossici-Bolt pleaded not guilty to the bogus charge, maintaining that her presence outside the abortion business was an act of compassion.
“I just wanted to offer a conversation,” she told supporters outside the courtroom.
As the verdict nears, the stakes are high for both nations. The Office for Budget Responsibility has cautioned that a full-blown trade war sparked by Trump’s tariffs could shave 1% off the UK’s GDP, erasing Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ fiscal buffer. For now, Starmer’s hopes of securing a deal with Trump appear tethered to the fate of one grandmother’s quiet pro-life stand.
Should include Tommy Robinson.
Trump should refuse to sign it until pro-White/pro-Free Speech Tommy Robinson is let out of jail and ALL charges dropped.
And release Tommy. All he did was openly say the TRUTH.
FTA——Trump’s US State Dept issued a rare statement, expressing “concern about UK’s freedom of expression, signaling the outcome of pro-life Tossici-Bolt’s case could influence bilateral relations.
Trump, who has prioritized free speech in his foreign policy, reportedly rejected Starmer’s last-minute plea for more time to negotiate an exemption from the tariffs during a phone call Monday.
“ Should include Tommy Robinson.”
********************************
Damn straight, him above all!
100%!
Farage really went down a few notches in my book for refusing to associate himself with or advocate for Tommy Robinson. Farage isn’t the British Trump any more than Boris Johnson was.
So where is Nigel Farage? Obviously, he does not have to agree with the issue. Only that she has the right to protest.
150 meter buffer zone, That’s 160 yds, or more than a football field and a half. I could understand 50 ft , but 492 ft seems a bit excessive. Especially since she was holding a sign inviting speech, not getting into anyone’s face.
A big bunch of the English will love Trump after they hear him lay down the law in this manner. This will lead to Starmer at least pretending to speak about certain issues in a slightly Trumpian way. Most will see through the pretense as we in California see through Gov. Newsom pretense to be middle of the road Dem.
Good question. I only know that he made it clear that he wants nothing to do with Tommy Robinson and views him as a shady character and grifter. Compare that with Trump who never shies away from taking the unpopular but correct side of an issue. That’s the only way you move the overton window, but it requires leadership.
God Bless Donald Trump
Nigel Farage appears to be controlled opposition. They’ll let him “talk” because they know he won’t do anything. And he won’t dare to talk about Tommy Robinson even though it’s the right thing to do.
THIS is amazing. Thank you President Trump.
Free Tommy Robinson!
Kudos to Trump. He knows the cards he has and how to play them.
The “full blown trade war sparked by Trump’s tariffs” is BS.
America has a trade deficit with the world of $1 Trillion dollars a year.
The rest of the world has been screwing us over with tariffs for years. We finally have a president who is doing something about it.
During Trump’s first term, President Trump asked The German chancellor Merkel “Are there any Chevrolets in Munich?” or words to that effect.
She answered, “Oh no, Donald, there are no Chevrolets.”
But America imports millions of automobiles from Germany.
As to the lady, that’s a genuine reason to be outraged at the violations of free speech.
SYL isn’t in that bracket; he overstepped and shouted fire in too many cinemas for the state to ignore his total contempt of court.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (fake name Tommy Robinson) is a lifetime career fascist, nazi sympathiser, violent thug and publicity whore. I genuinely don’t get how anyone can be fooled by his victimhood “free speech” schtick.
He served four prison terms between 2005 and 2019. In 2013, he illegally entered the United States using a friend’s passport. In 2018, he violated a court order. He’s currently in prison after pleading guilty to an imprisonable offence. He’s only in Solitary because his own bloody lawyer argued he needed to be segregated for his own safety.
He’s using illegal methods to communicate with the outside, just like the drug lords in prison work around the ban on mobile phones. He’s no better than them.
a stopped clock can be right twice a day. SYL is a stopped clock on free speech. The other 23 hours of the day, he’s a pox on society.
(Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (fake name Tommy Robinson) is a lifetime career fascist, nazi sympathiser, violent thug and publicity whore. I genuinely don’t get how anyone can be fooled by his victimhood “free speech” schtick.)
He’s pro-White and sees the peril that lies ahead for the White race. That’s all that matters! He has my full support.
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