Sir Keir Starmer has refused to say whether he would nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after attending the Gaza peace deal summit in Egypt.

The Prime Minister admitted there will be “plenty of people” nominating the US President for the honour, hailing the “historic day” for the peace deal.

In his keynote address to the world’s media, Mr Trump referred to Sir Keir as his “friend” before calling him to the stage.

Mr Trump said of the efforts of world leaders in supporting his deal: “It’s such a complement to what we’re doing, because what we’ve done is something very unique and very special.”

Asked if he will be nominating the US President for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Sir Keir responded: “Well, look, there’ll be plenty of people, I’m sure, nominating him.

“I think the nominations are in the early part of next year, but in all seriousness, it is a historic day, and it is a real tribute to President Trump that he has got leaders to this position.”

Praising the impact of the peace deal on civilians in Gaza, Sir Keir added: “This has been tried for many, many years and stepping away from the personalities, this is a huge relief for hostages and their families.

“A huge relief for civilians in Gaza, all of whom have been through unimaginable grief for two and a bit years now.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• ‘Where is our friend?!’ Donald Trump invites Keir Starmer to peace summit stage
• Donald Trump’s ‘bulldozer’ peace deal hailed amid warning to Israel and Gaza: ‘This victory is his’
• ‘Got it done!’ Martin Daubney hails Donald Trump for historic Israel-Gaza peace deal in BBC swipe

Dodging the question further, the Prime Minister told the media: “They are first and foremost in my mind, and that’s what gives me the determination to follow through now and to take other leaders with us on this.

“That’s the only thing I’ve been talking about today. Not only celebrating today as historic, which of course it is, but using the opportunity here with other leaders to say, how can we now, as a group of leaders, make sure that this is implemented in full, brings about the peace?

“We owe that to the Israelis and the Palestinians, and I’m determined that the United Kingdom will play its full part.”

Asked whether he would put himself forward for the Gaza peace board, Sir Kir admitted: “Well, there’s discussions going on about who should be on the board, but I can be clear with you, I haven’t put myself forward for that role.

“But what I have put myself forward for, what I’ve put our country forward for, is to ensure that we keep doing what we’re best at, which is working, as we have done behind the scenes, to help get this deal to where it is today.”

Grilled on whether ex-Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair would be a good option for the board, Sir Keir said: “I think the makeup of the peace board is still being discussed. From my part, I have to say, I’m much more interested in the practical steps that are needed.

“Tony Blair sitting on the board, that’s for others to decide. Tony Blair was a great leader of our country and would make a huge contribution.

“But I’m not focused on which particular people should sit on which particular board. I’m focused on what do we need to do tomorrow and I mean tomorrow to make sure this is implemented.”