Russia will not be challenged by Theresa May on World Cup bid despite calls from opposition over Syrian war crimes
'It would make a big difference if the government joined our campaign to strip Russia of its right to hold the World Cup' says Jonathon Woodcock MP
THERESA May refused to back a bid to strip Russia of the World Cup ahead of crunch Downing Street talks with NATO’s Secretary General.
Last night the PM met Jens Stoltenberg PM for the first time under the shadow of Donald Trump’s threat to pull funding for the military alliance and concern over the President Elect’s fondness for Russia’s President Putin.
She used the meeting to demand that other countries pull their weight and match the US and UK’s commitment to spend 2 per cent of GDP of defence.
The meeting came after Mrs May had refused to back a call from Labour MP John Woodcock to strip Russia of hosting the 2018 World Cup over war crimes allegations in Syria.
After probing the Mrs May in the Commons, Mr Woodcock told The Sun: “The PM may be focussed on Brexit but that’s no excuse for failing to stand up to the massive threat posed by Putin’s Russia.
“It would make a big difference if the government joined our campaign to strip Russia of its right to hold the World Cup.”
He added: “She needs to get off the fence and show some leadership.”
Last night No 10 said: “The Prime Minister and Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke about the importance of NATO members meeting the 2 per cent commitment and agreed to continue to encourage allies to increase defence spending.
“They discussed the recent US election and the importance of the transatlantic bond to security.
Secretary General Stoltenberg relayed his recent conversation with President-elect Trump, in which they had agreed on the enduring importance of NATO.
The pair also cautioned against the formation of European army, saying they “greed that any EU defence proposals should be about strengthening structures within NATO rather than duplicating existing structures.”