Republican Lawmaker Exasperates BBC's Victoria Derbyshire With Bewildering Take On Greenland

Victoria Derbyshire could not hide her exasperation with a Republican lawmaker last night when Representative Andy Ogles insisted Greenland actually wants to be part of the US – despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The BBCNewsnight presenter was speaking to the pro-Donald Trump congressman shortly after the US president doubled down on his threats to take Greenland.

As a semi-autonomous Danish territory, the Arctic island is part of Nato – and the White House’s push to seize it has caused deep alarme in Europe, and within Greenland itself.

But Ogles told the BBC: “I think if you had a referendum today to the folks of Greenland, they would overwhelmingly want independence from Denmark, and they would overwhelmingly want a closer relationship with the United States of America.”

Greenland minister Naaja Nathanielsen rebuked that claim instantly on Newsnight.

She calmly pointed out recent surveys “showed overwhelming solidarity” within the Kingdom for Greenland to stay a part of Denmark.

But Ogles replied: “You can’t do anything to defend yourself. Denmark cannot do anything to defend you. It’s up to the United States of America. End of story.”

Ogles then claimed Greenland’s GDP is $3.3 billion – compared to to the $90 billion China is estimated to have invested in the Arctic.

However, Derbyshire, growing frustrated, pointed out his arguments were getting repetitive, noting: “Yes, you’ve made that point three times!”

Later in the show, Ogles continued to claim Greenland wants to be part of the US, but Derbyshire cut in: “An actual minister... the minister actually told you the people of Greenland don’t want to be part of [the US].”

He interrupted: “And you’re not listening because clearly they’re not doing anything for the people of Greenland! And here you have the President of the United States saying look we’re here, we want to make it great again!”

“You saw the protests of the people in Greenland and Denmark saying, we’re not for sale,” Derbyshire said with emphasis. “A recent poll of Greenlanders suggested only 6% of Greenlanders want their country to become part of the US – 85% are against that.

“You’ve got to listen to those people. You’re a democratic country. They’re a Democratic country. They’re allies in Nato.”

Ogles replied by claiming he has hosted some Greenlanders in his US office, adding: “They distinctly, harshly disagree with your sentiment, but that’s to be expected.”

Derbyshire said: “It’s not my sentiment!”

Ogles ignored her, and continued: “The globalists do not want to see the Nato being essentially put in its place.

“And again, what you’re seeing is the United States is leading from a position of strength.

“And Denmark and Nato is having trouble reconciling with that because at the end of the day, the United States are going to keep Russia and China at bay.”

Derbyshire pointed out that Trump is actually on very friendly terms with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Ogles just insisted: “As far as Greenland goes, Nato is defunct, it hasn’t had a role. The handful of troops they are sending is symbolic.”

His words briefly prompted Derbyshire to screw up her face in confusion.

Their exchange comes as Trump prepares to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he is expected to tell global leaders that the States must have Greenland.