Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has downplayed accusations of alleged interference by the Labour Party in the US presidential election. The Trump campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, urging an investigation into what it calls “blatant foreign interference.”

Addressing the claims, Sir Keir, who met with Trump last month, stated that the party staff traveling to the US to support Democratic candidate Kamala Harris were volunteers, participating “in their spare time” and staying with other volunteers. Environment Secretary Steve Reed confirmed to the BBC that the Labour Party did not fund or organize these trips.

Sir Keir dismissed concerns that the issue could strain his relationship with Trump, emphasizing that under Federal Election Commission rules, foreign nationals are allowed to volunteer for US political campaigns as long as they are not paid.

Despite Labour sources maintaining that no wrongdoing occurred, there is a clear sense of unease given the timing, with Trump potentially returning to office in just two weeks.

The controversy began after a now-deleted social media post from Labour’s head of operations, Sofia Patel, mentioned around 100 current and former staff heading to the US before election day. Her LinkedIn post offered “ten spots available” for those willing to campaign in North Carolina for Harris, adding that “housing will be arranged.”

The Trump campaign’s complaint took a theatrical tone, referencing the American Revolutionary War with the statement, “When representatives of the British government previously sought to go door-to-door in America, it did not end well for them.”

Labour officials, who have worked to build ties with the Trump campaign both in opposition and now in government, face a challenging situation amid this dispute.