Keir Starmer says Joe Biden 'put the country first' when he made his decision to quit as he vows to work with the outgoing president until January - but dodges questions on Democrat contender Kamala Harris
Keir Starmer has insisted that Joe Biden 'put the country first' and made his decision to quit in the 'best interests of the American people'.
In his first statement to Parliament, the PM said he 'respected' the US president's choice and looked forward to working with him for the rest of his term in office.
But Sir Keir sidestepped questions on Vice President Kamala Harris - who Mr Biden said was his pick as the Democrat candidate to take on Donald Trump.
Mr Biden dramatically bowed out of the race yesterday in response to mounting pressure about his age and his inability to beat his Republican rival.
Sir Keir said the US President was 'a man who, during five decades of service, never lost touch with the concerns of working people and always put his country first'.
He 'leaves a legacy that extends far beyond America to freedom and security on this continent'.
'Most of all, of course, in our steadfast resolve to stand by the people of Ukraine,' he said.
'He leaves the Nato alliance stronger than it's been for decades.'
Sir Keir, who had talks at the White House with Mr Biden earlier this month while in Washington for the Nato summit, said: 'I respect that decision that he has now made.
In his first statement to Parliament, the PM said he 'respected' the US president's choice and looked forward to working with him for the rest of his term in office
Keir Starmer has insisted that Joe Biden (pictured) will have made his decision to quit in the 'best interests of the American people'
'Not an easy decision, but a decision that I know that he will have arrived at taking into account the best interests of the American people, and I look forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency.'
He declined to comment on his relationship with Ms Harris, but insisted the UK would work with whoever became president.
'Obviously in the first instance, it's for the Democratic Party to decide who they want to put forward. It is then for the American people to decide who they want as their president.
'My approach will be to respect that decision-making and to be clear that we will work with whoever the American people elect into office, as you would expect, particularly given the nature of the special relationship between our two countries, forged in difficult circumstances, endured for years, and very important to me and very important to all American presidents.'
The 81-year-old president announced on Sunday he would not seek another term in office, saying it was 'in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down'.
In a post on his social media account, he said: 'My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
'My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this.'
He said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.
'And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term.'
He said in his statement he would address the nation on the matter next week, adding: 'For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
'I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.'
sidestepped questions on Vice President Kamala Harris (pictured) - who Mr Biden said was his pick as the Democrat candidate to take on Donald Trump
The decision comes after escalating pressure from Mr Biden's Democratic allies to step aside following his faltering June 27 debate.
Mr Biden's term in office ends at noon on January 20 2025.
Vice President Ms Harris said she was 'honoured' to have the endorsement of Mr Biden.
In a statement, she thanked the US president for his 'extraordinary leadership' and for making a 'selfless and patriotic act' by stepping aside.
She said: 'I am honoured to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.'
