No free trade with US without free speech, Starmer warned

Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to strike a free trade deal with the US are at risk over a free speech row.

In a highly unusual step on Sunday night, the US state department issued a statement saying it was “concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” in relation to the case of an anti-abortion campaigner.

It said it was “monitoring” the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was prosecuted for holding a sign near a Bournemouth abortion clinic reading: “Here to talk if you want.”

A verdict in the case is due on Friday.

The state department, responsible for US foreign policy, would not usually comment on the domestic policies of another country.

Asked about the comments, a source familiar with trade negotiations told The Telegraph there should be “no free trade without free speech”, a stance thought to have become a point of contention between the two nations...

The Online Safety Act, which regulates free speech online, is also thought to be heavily disliked by the president’s administration because it can be used to levy huge fines on US tech companies.

The law has been criticised by free speech advocates and economists, who argue that its broad provisions to tackle harmful online content could lead to excessive censorship and deter investment from US tech giants.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that a full-blown trade war, in which the UK responds in kind to Mr Trump’s tariffs, could knock one per cent off GDP and wipe out the Chancellor’s fiscal headroom.