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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Starmer faces Iran international law decision if UK assists US over Iran
Starmer faces Iran international law decision if UK assists US over Iran The issue of whether the UK could be drawn into the Iran conflict is now being considered - and one former cabinet minister has explored the issue in terms of international law Sir Keir Starmer, UK prime minister on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Photographer: Jaimi Joy/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Image: Getty ) The UK government's legal rights if it decided to assist the US military are an area that could soon become a major subject of public debate. In the wake of US strikes on Iran, the world is watching to see what might happen next. There are fears Iran may strike US bases in the Middle East or shut the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route used for supplying oil around the world. The UK is not involved in the action as it stands. But it has become embroiled in US military action in the Middle East in the past. And today questions have been asked about what Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street operation's legal considerations would be if it were once again drawn into conflict. What is UK's position in international law if it assists USA over Iran? The UK could only provide assistance legally 'to an ally against an imminent threat to that ally,' former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer has said today. He told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'I think that, legally, the position is we could only provide assistance if we were providing assistance to an ally against an imminent threat to that ally and I think the only question of an imminent threat would have been in relation to Israel. 'I think that's the international law position. I think that we would regard, for the purposes of international law, both America and Israel as, in inverted commas, 'allies' for that purpose so if there was an imminent threat and America was standing beside Israel, if we were willing to stand beside Israel as well, we could have participated, but it never arose as an issue.' He went on to say: 'It depends what happens now, because if the position is that there are attacks on, for example, American bases, we can provide assistance in relation to that because that would be a matter of self-defence at that point.' Article continues below What has Starmer government said about the law and US bombings? It has been pressed on this subject today already in the media - but has so far chosen not to comment. Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds would not say earlier today if the US strikes were legal. Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if the US action was a good thing, he said: 'The outcome. It isn't the means by which anyone in the British Government would have wanted to see this occur.' Pressed over whether the US strikes were legal, he said: 'It is where we are today.' Sir Keir Starmer has also made no comment on the legality of the action, despite issuing a statement to say Iran should return to negotiations. The Conservative party position on the US strikes in Iran Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said today: 'By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. 'We should stand firmly with the US and Israel.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said Iran is a 'threat' to the UK. Dame Priti told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We know the range of those ballistic missiles – they would threaten Europe. 'They're a threat to us. We have state-sponsored activism and terrorism in our own country. We saw an Iranian spy involved in our base in Cyprus yesterday. These are not things that we can just sort of wring our hands over anymore. Article continues below 'There has been a long history here and to the credit of America and President Trump, he has led the way in terms of trying to have diplomacy, diplomatic talks with Iran, and he did forewarn them that there would be consequences if they did not engage.'
The National
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Keir Starmer accused of 'gaslighting' statement on US bombing of Iran
The Prime Minister posted on social media following news of the attack, with his comments gathering 1.7 million views and thousands of furious comments. Starmer said the US bombing was taken to 'alleviate' the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority,' he wrote. READ MORE: 'I spent 16 months in Gaza amid Israel's genocide. Here's what I saw' 'We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' Starmer's comments prompted a furious response from politicians and social media users. Former first minister Humza Yousaf said: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' (Image: PA) Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: 'This is a deplorable response, but all too predictable. 'Israel expanding its war, by attacking Iran when negotiations were imminent, was an outrage. The US is now escalating the conflict. 'Instead of being a voice for de-escalation, the UK is siding with the aggressors.' Green party deputy leader Zack Polanski said: 'I don't think anyone expected him to say anything better. 'But he'd probably have been better maintaining his usual silence. 'Iran were negotiating - when Israel launched a war on them. The US joined in - and now our Prime Minister basically says 'well they were asking for it'.' READ MORE: Laura Kuenssberg slammed live on air for platforming Israeli president SDLP MP Colum Eastwood said simply: 'Utterly pathetic.' Social media users also criticised the PM's comments. One wrote: 'I have never despised a prime minister more. You've drenched every British citizen in blood. The vast majority reject your support for Israel, its genocide, and its constant violations of international law. Shame on you.' Another added: 'Are you dumb? Iran was bombed whilst at the negotiating table. Stop gaslighting your electorate and start telling the truth.' Elsewhere, First Minister John Swinney called for a 'diplomatic solution'. It comes after Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds would not say the UK supported the military action nor whether he believed the US strikes were legal. Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if the US action was a good thing, he said: 'The outcome. It isn't the means by which anyone in the British Government would have wanted to see this occur.' Pushed on whether the US strike was legal, he said: 'It is where we are today.' The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. In an address to the nation from the White House, Donald Trump warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: 'There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.'
Leader Live
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Starmer focused on grooming victims not ‘grandstanding', says Reeves
The Chancellor said that Sir Keir has been looking at 'actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again'. After initially resisting pressure to implement a full probe, the Prime Minister said he had read 'every single word' of an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey and would accept her recommendation for the investigation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to address Parliament on Monday about the findings of the review. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the move as a 'welcome U-turn', while Kemi Badenoch called on him to apologise for 'six wasted months'. Asked whether the Prime Minister had changed his mind about the idea of a national inquiry, the Chancellor told the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I think Keir Starmer, our Prime Minister, has always been really focused, as he was when he was director of public prosecutions, on the victims and not grandstanding. 'But actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again, but also to ensure that the victims of this horrific abuse over many, many years is got to grips with and that people have answers to their questions.' Earlier this year, the Government dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying its focus was on putting in place the outstanding recommendations already made in a seven-year national inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the Government's 'very late' decision to launch the inquiry, and claimed it had only come after pressure from the Tories. Sir Mel told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'It's a very late decision – it should have happened far, far earlier. 'We've been calling for this for many, many months.' He accused Sir Keir of previously dismissing concerns from senior Tory figures. 'Kemi Badenoch, Chris Philp and others have been derided by the Prime Minister for hopping on some kind of far-right bandwagon, dog-whistle politics and the rest of it,' Sir Mel said. 'That was the wrong response. This is just another example of the Prime Minister being pressurised by us into U-turning.' The inquiry will be able to compel witnesses to give evidence, and it is understood that it will be national in scope, co-ordinating a series of targeted local investigations. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on his visit to Canada on Saturday, the Prime Minister said: 'I have never said we should not look again at any issue. 'I have wanted to be assured that on the question of any inquiry. 'That's why I asked Louise Casey who I hugely respect to do an audit. 'Her position when she started the audit was that there was not a real need for a national inquiry over and above what was going on. 'She has looked at the material she has looked at and she has come to the view that there should be a national inquiry on the basis of what she has seen. 'I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation. 'That is the right thing to do on the basis of what she has put in her audit.'
Powys County Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Starmer focused on grooming victims not ‘grandstanding', says Reeves
Sir Keir Starmer has been focused on the 'victims' of grooming gangs and not 'grandstanding', Rachel Reeves has suggested, after the Prime Minister committed to a national inquiry. The Chancellor said that Sir Keir has been looking at 'actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again'. After initially resisting pressure to implement a full probe, the Prime Minister said he had read 'every single word' of an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey and would accept her recommendation for the investigation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to address Parliament on Monday about the findings of the review. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the move as a 'welcome U-turn', while Kemi Badenoch called on him to apologise for 'six wasted months'. Asked whether the Prime Minister had changed his mind about the idea of a national inquiry, the Chancellor told the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I think Keir Starmer, our Prime Minister, has always been really focused, as he was when he was director of public prosecutions, on the victims and not grandstanding. 'But actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again, but also to ensure that the victims of this horrific abuse over many, many years is got to grips with and that people have answers to their questions.' Earlier this year, the Government dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying its focus was on putting in place the outstanding recommendations already made in a seven-year national inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the Government's 'very late' decision to launch the inquiry, and claimed it had only come after pressure from the Tories. Sir Mel told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'It's a very late decision – it should have happened far, far earlier. 'We've been calling for this for many, many months.' He accused Sir Keir of previously dismissing concerns from senior Tory figures. 'Kemi Badenoch, Chris Philp and others have been derided by the Prime Minister for hopping on some kind of far-right bandwagon, dog-whistle politics and the rest of it,' Sir Mel said. 'That was the wrong response. This is just another example of the Prime Minister being pressurised by us into U-turning.' The inquiry will be able to compel witnesses to give evidence, and it is understood that it will be national in scope, co-ordinating a series of targeted local investigations. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on his visit to Canada on Saturday, the Prime Minister said: 'I have never said we should not look again at any issue. 'I have wanted to be assured that on the question of any inquiry. 'That's why I asked Louise Casey who I hugely respect to do an audit. 'Her position when she started the audit was that there was not a real need for a national inquiry over and above what was going on. 'She has looked at the material she has looked at and she has come to the view that there should be a national inquiry on the basis of what she has seen. 'I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation. 'That is the right thing to do on the basis of what she has put in her audit.'
North Wales Chronicle
15-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer focused on grooming victims not ‘grandstanding', says Reeves
The Chancellor said that Sir Keir has been looking at 'actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again'. After initially resisting pressure to implement a full probe, the Prime Minister said he had read 'every single word' of an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey and would accept her recommendation for the investigation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to address Parliament on Monday about the findings of the review. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the move as a 'welcome U-turn', while Kemi Badenoch called on him to apologise for 'six wasted months'. Asked whether the Prime Minister had changed his mind about the idea of a national inquiry, the Chancellor told the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: 'I think Keir Starmer, our Prime Minister, has always been really focused, as he was when he was director of public prosecutions, on the victims and not grandstanding. 'But actually doing the practical things to ensure that something like this never happens again, but also to ensure that the victims of this horrific abuse over many, many years is got to grips with and that people have answers to their questions.' Earlier this year, the Government dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying its focus was on putting in place the outstanding recommendations already made in a seven-year national inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the Government's 'very late' decision to launch the inquiry, and claimed it had only come after pressure from the Tories. Sir Mel told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'It's a very late decision – it should have happened far, far earlier. 'We've been calling for this for many, many months.' He accused Sir Keir of previously dismissing concerns from senior Tory figures. 'Kemi Badenoch, Chris Philp and others have been derided by the Prime Minister for hopping on some kind of far-right bandwagon, dog-whistle politics and the rest of it,' Sir Mel said. 'That was the wrong response. This is just another example of the Prime Minister being pressurised by us into U-turning.' The inquiry will be able to compel witnesses to give evidence, and it is understood that it will be national in scope, co-ordinating a series of targeted local investigations. Speaking to reporters travelling with him on his visit to Canada on Saturday, the Prime Minister said: 'I have never said we should not look again at any issue. 'I have wanted to be assured that on the question of any inquiry. 'That's why I asked Louise Casey who I hugely respect to do an audit. 'Her position when she started the audit was that there was not a real need for a national inquiry over and above what was going on. 'She has looked at the material she has looked at and she has come to the view that there should be a national inquiry on the basis of what she has seen. 'I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation. 'That is the right thing to do on the basis of what she has put in her audit.'
