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'BIG POWER' BOOST

A Donald Trump presidency ‘could make the world safer’ by changing diplomacy says former head of British Army Lord David Richards

Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord David Richards has said Donald Trump could 'reinvigorate' big power relationships

THE former head of the British Army has said bombastic billionaire and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump could make the world a safer place.

Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord David Richards said the controversial candidate could "reinvigorate big power relationships", with his take on foreign policy making the world "ironically safer".

 Sir David Richards served as chief of defence staff between 2010 and 2013 and said Donald Trump could 'ironically' make the world safer
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Sir David Richards served as chief of defence staff between 2010 and 2013 and said Donald Trump could 'ironically' make the world saferCredit: Getty Images

Lord Richards said: "If countries and states could coalesce better to deal with these people – and I think Trump’s instinct is to go down that route – then I think there's the case for saying that the world certainly won’t be any less safe.

"It’s that lack of understanding and empathy with each other as big power players that is a risk to us all at the moment.

"Therefore I think he would reinvigorate big power relationships, which might make the world ironically safer."

 Donald Trump could reinvigorate 'big power' if he became president
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Donald Trump could reinvigorate 'big power' if he became presidentCredit: AP:Associated Press

Speaking to The House magazine, Lord Richards said the biggest threat to national security was ISIS, rather than Trump.

He said the reality star and US presidential candidate was wise enough to listen to his advisors if he became president.

However, he added he was "sorry" that Trump and his opponent Hillary Clinton were the best candidates for the top job in the White House.

He said: "I'm a bit sorry they're the best candidates that can be put up in a country as great and as huge and powerful as America."

Richards became the Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces of the British Army in 2008 before being appointed the Chief of the General Staff, the head of the British Army, in 2009.

The 64-year-old, who has served in Germany, Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone, was then appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff in 2010.

 Lord Richards has extensive experience in leading the British Army and has served around the world
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Lord Richards has extensive experience in leading the British Army and has served around the worldCredit: PA:Press Association

Richards, who is now a peer in the House of Lords, is just one leader who has commented on the ongoing US presidential elections.

Iran's supreme leader ripped into both Trump and Clinton, saying that either of the two would mark the "annihilation of the reputation of the United States".

Barack Obama has also spoken out, throwing his full support behind Hillary Clinton.


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