Starmer says ‘highly fragile’ ceasefire with Iran should include Lebanon – UK politics live
Keir Starmer is making his statement to MPs now about the Iran war, and his trip to the Gulf last week.He says in all his meetings with Gulf leaders he discussed deepening the UK’s commitment to their defence.He says the ceasefire is welcome, but also “highly fragile”.A lot of work is needed to reopen the strait of Hormuz, and to have a sustainable ceasefire, he says.And he says the ceasefire must cover Lebanon.
Israel’s strikes “are wrong”, he says.Starmer says he and President Macron will be co-hosting the summit later this week on safeguarding the strait of Hormuz.(See 12.57am.)Jeremy Corbyn, the Your Party parliamentary leader, asks for an assurance that the supply of weapons to the US will be suspended while this “appalling” war goes on.
Starmer says the Americans are only being allowed to use British bases for defensive missions.British bases in the region were being targeted by Iran.It is his duty to protect them, he says.Neil Shastri-Hurst (Con) said the government’s failure to publish the defence investment plan must be due to inertia or incompetence.Which was it?Starmer said the armed forces were hollowed out under the Tories.
He did not need their advice, he said.Iqbal Mohamed (Ind) said intelligence obtained by British surveillance was used by the Israelis in Gaza.He said he was concerned that this might be happening in Lebanon, and he asked if that was that case, and if any arms supplied by the UK to Israel were being used in Lebanon.Starmer did not answer these questions directly.He just said the UK always complied with international law.
John McDonnell (Lab) says there seems to be agreement in the Commons with what Starmer said about Lebanon being included in the ceasefire.But Benjamin Netanyahu is “out of control”, and Donald Trump cannot influence him, he says.He urges the PM to work with the EU on a “comprehensive European sanctions strategy” to restrain Israel.Ellie Chowns (Green) says Starmer did not say anything critical of the US in his opening statement.And, despite what Starmer said about Lebanon, the bombing there continues.
She said the government should sanction Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, and stop the US and the UK using British airbases.Starmer says the British bases are only being used for attacks on missile sites.What Chowns is suggesting would leave Britons in the region less protected, he says.He says that would be a “dereliction of duty, and I will never do that”.Yasmin Qureshi (Lab) says that Israel started bombing Iran just as a deal on uranium was about to be reached.
And it is still bombing Lebanon.double quotation markThis is typical of Israel.Just before an agreement is reached, it kills negotiators and bombs the countries.Lincoln Jopp (Con) asks if the defence investment plan will be published before the elections on 7 May.Starmer does not give a direct answer, just saying it will be published as soon as it is ready.
Mike Martin (Lib Dem) asks Starmer to meet with other parties to discuss ways of increasing defence spending.He says his party is keen on using defence bonds.Paul Waugh (Lab) asks Starmer to condemn the settler violence on the West Bank, and condemn the Isreali government’s failure to do anything about.Starmer does condemn it.And he says it is getting “worse by the day, not better by the day”.
Bernard Jenkin (Con) said Starmer should be more critical of Iran, and less critical of the US.Starmer said he had been clear that the Iranian regime was “odious”.
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