In brief
During the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with a custom-engraved revolver loaded with live ammunition, part of a symbolic gift to each attending head of state. The firearm has not been shipped back to Britain, as UK law forbids the import of live weapons – it will instead be de‑commissioned in Turkey. The gesture followed a defence agreement between the two leaders and reflects the deepening ties within NATO amid ongoing global tensions. Starmer, who will soon become the UK's new opposition leader, praised the summit’s unity and highlighted the importance of strengthened defence cooperation.
Sir Keir Starmer was presented with a personalized revolver, engraved and loaded with live ammunition, by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan while attending the NATO summit in Ankara. The handgun is one of a series of similar gifts given to the leaders of countries present at the event.
Notably, the revolver has not been returned to the United Kingdom. Under UK law it is illegal to import a live firearm; as a result, the gun remains with British officials in Turkey and is slated to be decommissioned so it can no longer fire live rounds before it is eventually delivered back.
Erdoğan waived export controls for the present, but the decision to keep it in Turkey is a practical measure given the stringent UK regulations. Downing Street has not released an image of the revolver.
During the summit, Starmer signed a defence agreement with Erdogan, a step that opens doors to closer intelligence sharing between the UK and Turkey. Starmer announced that the alliance is now “stronger and more united” and emphasised the significance of unity amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
Following the summit, Starmer commented that it had been a “good summit” where they achieved their goals of unity, and he said this event would be his last major international trip before stepping down as party leader.
Byline: Chris Mason, Political Editor, and Isabella Allen, Senior Political Producer
