Donald Trump makes U-turn and praises 'brave soldiers' of Britain after claiming UK troops 'stayed off frontlines'

 Donald Trump has praised the "very brave" British soldiers who served in Afghanistan after his claim that NATO soldiers "stayed off the frontlines" sparked outrage.

The US president said on Truth Social that British soldiers "were among the greatest of all warriors" as he acknowledged the 457 members of the armed services who died and many who were "badly injured" during the brutal conflict.

He wrote: "The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America. It's a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Trump's apparent U-turn comes after he told Fox News on Thursday that he was not "sure" NATO would "be there if we ever needed them". He added: "We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines."

Sir Keir Starmer branded Trump's comments "insulting and frankly appalling" and suggested he should apologise. "I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice that they made for their country," the prime minister said on Friday. "There are many also who were injured, some with life-changing injuries.

"And so I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I’m not surprised they caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."

Asked if he would call for the US president to apologise, Starmer said: "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise." But the PM stressed the importance of the "very close" relationship with the US for Britain's security, adding: "It is because of that relationship that we fought alongside the Americans for our values in Afghanistan. And it was in that context that people lost their lives or suffered terrible injuries, fighting for freedom, fighting with our allies for what we believe in."A total of 3,486 NATO troops died in the 20-year Afghanistan conflict, 2,461 of whom were US service personnel. Canada recorded 165 deaths, including civilians.