Lammy words concern’

DAVID Lammy's previous comments about Donald Trump may be put to one side by the US president-elect because of his strong political mandate, a former spy chief has said.

Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy has drawn scrutiny in recent days for past remarks, including calling Mr Trump a "neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath" Sir Richard Dearlove, a former head of MI6, said there was "concern" about the remarks and their impact on UK-US relations.

"Well of course, there's a lot of baggage there, and that's a concern, but when foreign secretaries go to Washington, they don't necessarily see the president," Sir Richard said. "Maybe, if they have a good personal relationship, they do see each other, but the relationship can easily be dealt with by other people.