US President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism about the potential leadership of Andy Burnham, Britain's expected next prime minister, describing him as "extremely liberal" and suggesting he would be unlikely to support expanded oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Speaking late on Wednesday, Trump said he knew little about Burnham, who has emerged as the only declared contender to succeed Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and prime minister.
"I don't know anything. I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town," Trump said.
"I hear he's extremely liberal, extremely, so that means he probably won't open up the North Sea."
Trump used the opportunity to reiterate his longstanding view that Britain should increase oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, a position he has repeatedly raised with Starmer during his time in office.
"You know I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice. I said open up the North Sea," Trump added.
The remarks come days after Starmer announced his resignation following mounting pressure over poor polling figures and disappointing local election results.
During the early stages of his premiership, Starmer sought to maintain strong ties with the Trump administration, including extending an invitation for an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom in 2025.
Relations between the two leaders reportedly cooled after the British government initially declined a US request to use British military bases for operations against Iran. However, authorisation was later granted for the use of the facilities.
Burnham, who could be formally appointed as Labour leader and prime minister by mid-July if no challenger emerges, has yet to respond publicly to Trump's comments.
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for Britain as debates continue over energy security, economic growth and the future of North Sea oil and gas production.