SIR Keir Starmer flew to the United Nations last night as a diplomatic row blew up over Donald Trump.
One of his top ministers accused the former US President of emboldening racists in Britain.
On the eve of the PM’s trip to new York, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle reportedly said the Republican helped breed “overt racism” with “vitriol” against migrants.
Trump’s spokesman fired back: “Nobody knows who this random person is or cares what comes out of her mouth.”
Sir Keir was understood to be keen on meeting presidential candidates Trump and Kamala Harris this week, during his trip to the UN General Assembly.
A live debate over whether to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with Western missiles is looming. President Volodymyr Zelensky — who is attending the gathering — is desperate for the green light.
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Sir Keir will also hold talks with counterparts on the escalating Middle East conflict that risks full-blown war between Israel and Lebanon.
The former barrister will use his speech to say Britain’s approach is “guided by the rule of law.”
He will say: “We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. This is the moment to reassert fundamental principles and our willingness to defend them.
“To recommit to the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law. Because I know that this matters to the British people.
“War, poverty and climate change all rebound on us at home.
They make us less secure, they harm our economy, and they create migration flows on an unprecedented scale.”
The PM will also attend a climate summit organised by France’s Emmanuel Macron.