Trump risks relations with UK over NHS jibe

In using an NHS funding protest march to attack the health service, Donald Trump has managed, yet again, to deeply insult the nation. Last month, the US President conceded he might see fit to apologise for disseminating racially-inflammatory material relating to the UK.

No apology has been forthcoming and Mr Trump has, again, failed to learn the lessons of a previous misdemeanour.

His targeting of the cherished health service will serve its own purpose among the core support which he so desperately strives to keep happy.

In that narrow respect, comparisons between the NHS and US Affordable Care Act, hated by the Republicans, are a handy tool for Mr Trump.

The message is clear — retain “Obamacare” and American cities will see similar marches in due course.

It is a crass and baseless attack which ignores the principles upon which the NHS is founded.

Far from the NHS “not working”, as Mr Trump suggested after watching a segment on his favourite news channel, its staff are carrying out a remarkable job under trying circumstances.

It remains free at point of delivery and is still the envy of most countries in the western world.

Yet again, Mr Trump owes an apology to a country with which he insists there is still a special relationship.