Theresa May warns US and UK cannot return to 'failed' interventions
The Prime Minister echoes Donald Trump's criticism of the US/UK invasion of Iraq as she issues a warning on engaging with Russia.
Friday 27 January 2017 01:48, UK
Theresa May has warned there can be no return to Iraq-style intervention in other countries by the US and UK as she began her visit to America by heralding the ties between the two nations.
The Prime Minister evoked the relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan during a speech at the annual Congressional Republican Retreat in Philadelphia, adding that "time and again it is the relationship between us that has defined the modern world".
She signalled support for some of President Trump's key foreign policies - condemning the "malign influence" of Iran, vowing to fight Islamic State and promising to "stand up" for the security of Israel.
Mrs May said Mr Trump's victory would allow the US to be "stronger, greater, and more confident in the years ahead", as she stressed the Brexit vote would restore sovereignty and independence to Britain.
But she cautioned over foreign policy positions taken by Mr Trump during his campaign, warning that he should "engage but beware" of Vladimir Putin and Russia and underscoring the work of the UN as "in need of reform, but vital, still".
She told the audience that the US and UK had a "joint responsibility to lead, because when others step up as we step back, it is bad for America, for Britain and the world".
There must be "no return to the failed policies of the past - the days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are over".
Sky News Diplomatic Editor Dominic Waghorn said: "It's the kind of speech you would expect from a Prime Minister hoping to make the most of what is clearly a lot of goodwill towards the UK, an administration that seems keen on pursuing the special relationship.
"In a sense it was an appeal for wiser counsels to prevail in the Republican Party and a bit of a dig if you like at some of the ideas that Donald Trump has hinted at."
Mrs May is the first foreign head of government to address the Republican Retreat.
On Friday, she will become the first foreign leader to meet with Mr Trump since his inauguration as she looks to secure the basis for a trade deal with the US after the triggering of Article 50 to leave the European Union.
During his campaign, she had described Mr Trump's policies as "divisive, stupid and wrong", but in her speech she praised his election victory even as she voiced differences to some of his agenda.
She described the Iran nuclear deal - which the US President has threatened to tear up - as "vitally important for regional security" and sought to ease fears that China will eclipse the West on the international stage.