EU chief accused of 'taking liberties' by 'gatecrashing' Keir Starmer's Trump meeting

Ursula von der Leyen has been accused of "taking liberties" with Sir Keir Starmer after announcing she will travel to Scotland to meet President Donald Trump during his private visit - despite not being invited. European Commission President Mrs von der Leyen confirmed the hastily arranged talks via a social media post, claiming she and Mr Trump had a "good call" and would meet "to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong".

The high-stakes meeting is likely designed to seal a trade deal between the US and the European Union, America's biggest business partner and the world's largest trading bloc. Negotiations between Brussels and Washington have swung back and forth in recent weeks, clearly frustrating EU officials.

However, there was no mention of the trip on the European Commission's calendar of official events, and Dr Lee Rotherham, who was director of special operations with the Vote Leave campaign in 2016, ridiculed the visit as a tone-deaf diplomatic ambush and a throwback to the worst kind of Euro-arrogance.

Dr Rotherham, who has sometimes been dubbed "Dr Brexit", told Express.co.uk: "The US President is on a private visit.

"If the head of the European Commission is inviting herself round, one trusts the UK will not be rolling out any red carpets and she'll be catching the airport bus."

The US President is in Scotland to attend the launch of a new Trump golf course in Aberdeenshire, and is set to hold talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, most likely at one of his family's properties.

Sources on both sides of the Atlantic suggest the Trump-Starmer summit will focus on trade and security, particularly in the context of the President's new tariffs, which have sparked fury across Brussels.

But Mrs von der Leyen's decision to insert herself into the agenda has sparked alarm - not just because it risks overshadowing the bilateral UK-US talks, but because it signals a return to the Brussels playbook of acting without consultation.

Dr Rotherham said: "It's the sort of behaviour we might have expected if Roy Jenkins were still head of the Commission, but at least he was British."

He added: "This sort of green approach is very rough, par none.

"It also suggests that the European Commission think they can take liberties with Keir Starmer when conducting their diplomacy. I wonder where they got that idea from?"

The suggestion that the EU now sees Mr Starmer as pliable will raise eyebrows in Westminster, particularly in light of the Prime Minister's recent comments that his Government is determined to build a closer relationship with Brussels.

But Dr Rotherham warned the Commission was already reverting to form - seeing the UK as a passive venue for its agenda, rather than an equal partner.

Frank Furedi, executive director of the think tank MCC Brussels, added "Queen Ursula seems desperate to cosy up to Trump. The EU leadership has failed to craft a serious negotiating stance, naively expecting Trump to hand them the same sweetheart deal as Brexit Britain.

"Having squandered their moment, they're now scrambling to catch up. Von der Leyen is even prepared to play the role of a golf enthusiast to reach Trump's ear.

"Who knows - more EU gatecrashers might soon be teeing off in Scotland."

Mr Trump is expected to return to Washington on Tuesday following his talks in Scotland. EU sources have confirmed Mrs von der Leyen is expected to depart the UK the same day.

Sir Keir has made no secret of his desire to rebuild relations with Brussels, promising a "closer and more constructive" partnership with the EU under his Government.

His plans include a new UK-EU security pact, greater cooperation on defence and science, and attempts to remove "unnecessary barriers" to trade - all of which have drawn fire from prominent Brexiteers.

Critics warn such moves risk dragging Britain back into Brussels' regulatory orbit by stealth, with some accusing the Prime Minister of trying to undo Brexit "by the back door."