In brief
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Sir Keir Starmer accepted a custom revolver with live ammunition from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The firearm, engraved with his name, has not been brought to the UK and will be decommissioned before return. Erdogan waived export controls for the gift, but UK law prohibits importing a live gun. Starmer also signed a defence agreement, strengthening intelligence sharing between the UK and Turkey. He hailed the summit as a unifying moment amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
Starmer gifted a Turkish revolver at the NATO summit
Sir Keir Starmer was presented by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a personalised revolver that holds live ammunition during the NATO summit in Ankara. The firearm, marked with the prime minister’s name, is one of a series of gifts handed to each country’s leader attending the event.
The revolver has not been returned to the United Kingdom; Turkish officials hold it, and it is expected to be decommissioned before any handover. Although Erdogan waived export controls for the gift, UK law prohibits import of a live firearm.
Downing Street has not released an image of the revolver, but the gun’s presence highlights the close alliance forged in Ankara. Earlier in the summit, Starmer signed a defence agreement with Erdogan, which will pave the way for closer intelligence sharing between Britain and Turkey.
Speaking after the summit, Starmer said he saw the alliance as stronger and more united, citing the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran as reasons the unity is crucial. He added that it would likely be his final major international event after announcing his resignation last month.
