U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declined a gift from U.S. President Donald Trump, newly released government records show.
Documents published Friday under U.K. transparency rules reveal that during Trump’s visit to Scotland in July, he presented Starmer with a bottle of whiskey. However, the prime minister did not keep it because it was worth more than the legal limit ministers can accept without paying.
Under U.K. rules, ministers can accept gifts worth up to £140 ($189). Anything above that must be declared, and the recipient has to either pay the difference or turn the item over to their department—in this case, the Cabinet Office. While the exact value of the whiskey was not listed, officials confirmed it exceeded the limit. Starmer chose not to buy it and instead left it with the government.
Starmer also gave Trump a book and a golf club during the same visit, according to the documents. The exchange happened while Trump was touring Scotland and holding talks with Starmer on the conflict in Gaza and other global issues.
This was not the first time the U.K. declined a gift from the U.S. In March, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent a solid bronze cowboy statue and a framed photo to U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey. That gift also stayed with the government because it was over the spending cap.
The transparency report also showed that in July, Starmer received other presents from world leaders: a book and tie from French President Emmanuel Macron, a leather wallet from France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, and an ornamental shield from the Sultan of Oman. These were all held by the Cabinet Office for the same reason.
Scott Lucas, a professor of international politics at University College Dublin, told Newsweek that Starmer’s decision would not affect his relationship with Trump, since it was only about following the rules. He noted the prime minister might have faced criticism if he had kept the whiskey.
Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey, told Newsweek: “If Starmer had been seen to take expensive alcohol from the teetotal Trump, it would have sparked even more negative headlines. The U.K.’s stance toward Trump is to keep him at arm’s length. He is viewed not as a friend or ally, but as someone the government must deal with. For Starmer, sticking to the rules on this gift won’t cause him any concern.”
Trump is scheduled to return to the U.K. for an official state visit in September, where he will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
