A U.K. diplomat said they had watched aghast as the spectacular leak emerged on Monday night, describing it as “wild.” The diplomat noted that it underlined the impression that Vance was the driver of U.S. hostility towards Europe. This, the person said, forced others including Trump into a tougher position because he “doesn’t want to look weaker than Vance.”
In public, U.K. ministers and officials tried to minimize the damage from the revelations, insisting the alliance with the U.S. was strong and communications remained secure.
But Britain’s former Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said some in the Trump administration clearly need re-educating about their allies. It was wrong of them to say European militaries had done nothing to address the problem of Iran-backed Houthis targeting commercial shipping, he said.
The leaked messages even included a conversation about how to make Europe “remunerate” the U.S. for the cost of the military action. In fact, the planned air strikes detailed in the private Signal app group were supported by British refueling aircraft, according to reports.
“I agree Europe must do more on security,” Shapps posted on X. “But [Prime Minister] Sir Keir [Starmer] should remind USA the UK led from the front. I authorised 4 RAF strikes on the Houthis & the Royal Navy defended Red Sea shipping. Our forces risked their lives to protect trade. Some in DC need reminding.”
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, a British opposition party, said: “JD Vance and his mates clearly aren’t fit to run a group chat, let alone the world’s strongest military force. It has to make our security services nervous about the intelligence we’re sharing with them.”