US vice president scolds Europe over free speech and migration

US Vice President J.D. Vance

US Vice President J.D. Vance has launched a scalding attack on European democracies, saying the greatest threat facing the continent was not from Russia and China, but “from within”.

It had been expected that Vance would use his speech at the Munich Security Conference to address possible talks to end the war in Ukraine.

Instead, he spent the majority accusing European governments – including the UK’s of retreating from their values, and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech.

The address was met by silence in the hall, and later denounced by several politicians at the conference.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said it was “not acceptable”.