PM dismisses 'keyboard warriors' after Flynn jibe

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed criticism from "keyboard warriors" after SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn accused him of "weak" leadership.

Flynn raised concerns about the Labour chief's relationship with US President Donald Trump after he took aim at Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in an extraordinary White House meeting.

Starmer, who had already rejected calls from the SNP to scrap an unprecedented second state visit for Trump, made the comment in the House of Commons.

It came after Flynn had commended him for hosting a summit of European and other Nato leaders to show support for Ukraine.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney also praised Starmer for hosting the summit.

It was called following a heated exchange between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday. Trump accused the Ukrainian president of "gambling with World War Three".

As European leaders expressed their support for Zelensky, SNP MPs criticised Starmer over his relationship with Trump.

Posting on X, Flynn described the prime minister's response as "weak", adding that he "had better get back up off his knees and revoke" an offer of a state visit.

Zelensky has since been welcomed to Downing Street by Starmer. The Ukrainian president attended the leaders' summit, where attendees unveiled a four-point plan to work with Ukraine to end the war.

In Parliament on Monday, Scottish Labour MP Gregor Poynton asked the prime minister about Flynn's social media posts, calling them "juvenile and childish".

Starmer replied: "Different people will respond in different ways. Some will take to the keyboard as warriors.

"I picked up the phone to world leaders to try and resolve the situation."

Earlier in the Commons session, Flynn commended the prime minister on his leadership during the summit, and said the pair were united in support for Ukraine.

Swinney said the summit was a "source of reassurance" after the "anxiety" caused by the Oval Office exchange between Trump and Zelensky.

He told BBC Scotland News: "I welcome the initiative that the prime minister has taken by bringing together that summit."

Over the weekend, Swinney told the BBC he did not see how a state visit for Trump - offered by the King on Thursday - could go ahead unless the US president was "absolutely full-square with us" in protecting Ukraine.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the first minister was "perfectly entitled to his opinion" but insisted the UK government had to "keep the eye on the prize".

He told BBC Scotland News: "We need to make sure we get peace in Ukraine [and] that peace is secured. Europe has to step up.

"The prime minister is leading that charge but we need that American guarantee otherwise Putin will come back for more later."

Starmer had already rejected calls for the state visit invitation to be rescinded, insisting he would not be "distracted" by the SNP.