UK responds to Vance's 'nuclear-armed Islamic state' remark

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner downplayed the significance of J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, who made controversial statements about Britain being a "nuclear-armed Islamic state."

She emphasized that Britain will cooperate with whoever wins the upcoming US presidential elections.

Vance, selected by Donald Trump for vice president, joked at a recent conference that Britain is the "first truly Islamic country" with nuclear weapons, prompting laughter from the audience.

Read more: Trump announces J.D. Vance as running mate

He mentioned that he had discussed with a friend which nation would first possess nuclear weapons, concluding that Britain might be the one since the Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, took power.

Rayner, in an interview with ITV, acknowledged Vance's history of making "shocking" remarks but stressed that her focus is on governing Britain and collaborating with international allies.

Despite past criticisms from prominent Labor Party figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, against Trump, there is an effort to build diplomatic bridges ahead of the November US elections, as polls indicate Trump's potential victory. New British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who had protested Trump's 2018 visit, met Vance in March.

Rayner softened her previous criticisms of Trump, asserting that the Labor Party would adopt a different approach in government and work constructively with the US election winners.

She reiterated the importance of the US as a key ally and expressed commitment to working with the elected American leaders.