UK leaders condemn White House dinner shooting as ‘affront to democracy’

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked by the scenes” and stressed that “any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.” He added it was a “huge relief” that Trump, the first lady and other guests were unharmed.

The attack took place on Saturday evening at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the annual dinner was being held. A suspect identified by US media as a 31-year-old man is in custody, and authorities are investigating his motives. A Secret Service officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest and is recovering, according to officials.

Senior British officials across the political spectrum echoed the condemnation.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described the incident as “appalling” and said “political violence is an affront to democracy and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “appalled” by the attack and called for unity against political violence, adding that it “has no place in our democracies.”

Opposition figures also denounced the shooting. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it “an attack on democracy,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said political violence was “wrong” and must be universally condemned.

Trump later described the suspect as a “very sick person” and said the attack targeted the US Constitution.