Hillary Clinton: US and UK relationship ‘will remain strong’ despite Brexit

Acknowledging the Leave vote, Hillary Clinton (pictured) said she understood there were 'many frustrated people in Britain'
REUTERS/Chris Bergin

Hillary Clinton insisted that America’s special relationship with Britain would remain strong despite the vote to leave the European Union.

The Democrat presidential hopeful reaffirmed the “common interests and values” of the two nations as a “cornerstone of American foreign policy”.

Acknowledging the Leave vote, she said she understood there were “many frustrated people in Britain” and insisted that America would “bounce back” from the economic turmoil in the aftermath of the vote.

Mrs Clinton also took the opportunity to blast Republican rival Donald Trump’s reaction to Brexit during his trip last week to Scotland.

Without naming the billionaire candidate, she said: “Our priority now must be to protect Americans families and businesses from the negative effects of this kind to tumult and uncertainty.

“We need leaders who understand how to work with other leaders to manage risks, who understand that bombastic comments in turbulent times can actually cause more turbulence and who put the interests of the American people ahead of their personal business interests.”

The comment appeared to be a direct jibe at Mr Trump’s claim on Friday while visiting one of his Scottish golf resorts that the economic chaos triggered by the Brexit vote would be good for his businesses.

Mrs Clinton addressed Brexit for the first time in a speech at the US Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis.

Earlier yesterday her campaign also launched a nationwide ad campaign targetting Mr Trump’s attitude towards Britain’s EU decision.

“We need leaders who recognise that our alliances and partnerships are among our greatest national assets now more than ever,” she said, adding that “no one should be confused about America’s commitment to Europe - not an autocrat in the Kremlin, not a presidential candidate on a Scottish golf course.”

Responding to Mrs Clinton’s comments, Mr Trump said she “has no sense of markets and such bad judgment”.

The US campaign spat over Brexit came as former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin congratulated the UK for leaving the EU and claimed America should follow suit and split from the United Nations.

The former Alaska Governor posted a picture of Margaret Thatcher to Facebook and quoted the former prime minister, writing, “liberty is fundamental”.

“Congratulations, smart Brits,” she wrote. “Good on you for ignoring all the fear mongering from special interest globalists who tend to aim for that apocalyptic One World Government that dissolves a nation’s self-determination and sovereignty… the EU being a One World Government mini-me.”

In Los Angeles, Samuel L Jackson urged American voters not to be “tricked like they got tricked in London” as he was honoured at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

The actor’s comments - an apparent reference to the EU referendum - came as he received the lifetime achievement award at the show.

Meanwhile in Moscow the man dubbed Vladimir Putin’s “propagandist in chief” claimed Brexit opinion polls had been “rigged” to back Remain.

Dmitry Kiselyov claimed British voters overcame a succession of dirty tricks to free themselves from Brussels, with sanctions against Russia likely to weaken.

“It seems that a tried and trusted technique did not work - powerful information pressure,” he said referring to the referendum campaign.

“This time it was unprecedented, coordinated and shameless.

“From (Barack) Obama’s direct order not to leave the EU to what we now know were rigged pro-EU polls.”

Kiselyov - who is on the EU sanctions list for being a “central figure” of Kremlin propaganda over Crimea and the Ukrainian crisis - said: “The British are a brave people.

“They’re going first. But there’s already a queue behind them.”

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