British politicians really, really love to insult Donald Trump.
In a parliamentary debate about banning the American billionaire from the country earlier this year, politicians labeled Trump an "idiot," a "buffoon," even a "wazzock." The new mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has warned that the likely Republican presidential nominee had an "ignorant view of Islam," while Prime Minister David Cameron has called his comments "wrong."
Even likely allies have got in on the fun. Boris Johnson, the brash MP and former London mayor who has some things in common with Trump, has said that the only reason he wouldn't visit some parts of New York "is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump." The only well-known British politician to favor Trump, Nigel Farage of the anti-E.U. United Kingdom Independence Party, is a relatively fringe figure in the country and even he has said some of Trump's comments go "too far."
Britain's animosity to Trump isn't quite uniform, however. On Wednesday, one British politician made an unexpected move by talking about Trump publicly — and not insulting him.
That shocking decision lead to an article in the left wing Daily Mirror tabloid: "Iain Duncan Smith backs Donald Trump," the headline read, before noting the Conservative politician had called Trump a "very decent man."
In truth, Duncan Smith's comments were more measured. Appearing on London radio station LBC to debate Britain's planned vote on whether to continue membership in the European Union, Duncan Smith — himself a pro-Brexit politician — appears to be trying to argue that Russian President Vladimir Putin wasn't the only foreign leader who favored a British exit from the E.U.
"There are some very serious politicians in America [who support the Brexit]," Duncan Smith said, before suggesting that Paul Ryan, the Republican speaker of the house, was among them. Host Iain Dale then pressed Duncan Smith on who he would vote for in the U.S. election. "I don't have a vote," Duncan Smith responded, holding up his hands. "But I wouldn't be voting for Clinton, that's for sure."
Iain Duncan Smith speaks during an interview at Sky News headquarters in London. (Carl Court/Getty Images)
Still, Duncan Smith is a well-known and mainstream though somewhat controversial figure in British politics. From 2001 to 2003, he lead the Conservative Party, Britain's major right wing party, while it was in opposition (though he was soon ousted due to concerns about his electability). Until recently he was a member of Cameron's government; he resigned in a dispute over budget cuts that many felt perhaps was really more about his anti-E.U. campaigning.
His comments about Trump sparked both discussion and mockery.
Trump, who has suggested that Britain would be better outside of the E.U. on a number of occasions, is due to travel to Britain on June 24 — the day after Britain's vote on whether to leave the E.U. — to attend the opening of a golf course in Scotland.
Due to his testy relationship with the country, it remains unclear whether he'll meet with any British politician — including Duncan Smith
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