Keir Starmer dealt huge blow as army activates him: ‘Unreliable’ | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised by senior army officers for refusing Donald Trump permission to make use of UK army bases to assist US strikes on Iran. The US has beforehand used the UK abroad territory of Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to hold out strikes within the Middle East. But the Prime Minister has reportedly withheld permission for using its bases in a possible assault on Iran’s nuclear programme, prompting warnings of showing “unreliable and weak”.

Mr Starmer’s resolution has been denounced as “mad” by figures together with former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe, who mentioned the UK ought to “absolutely let the US use UK bases in launching targeted strikes against Iran”, in response to the Daily Mail. Retired Rear Admiral Chris Parry, added: “At a time when our US ally needs to be reassured of Britain’s staunch opposition to brutal regimes and about its access to the Chagos Islands and [UK-US military base] Diego Garcia, our Government is proving unreliable and weak.”

Mr Trump mentioned on Thursday that the world would study “over the next, probably 10 days”, whether or not Iran had agreed to a deal or could be hit with army motion.

In a submit on Truth Social, he wrote: “Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia and the [RAF] Airfield location in Fairfield, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime.”

Under a long-held settlement, the US must acquire permission from the UK earlier than utilizing the bases for army operations.

*** Ensure our newest information headlines at all times seem on the prime of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click right here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***

But the prime minister has reportedly expressed opposition to the plans, amid considerations that the strikes may quantity to an unlawful act beneath worldwide legislation.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated the Government’s place in a gathering with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, insisting that Britain would favour a “diplomatic and economic” marketing campaign of stress on Iran.

The place has additionally been criticised by the Conservative Party, with defence spokesperson James Cartlidge warning that Iran’s nuclear programme “poses a grave threat to Britain and our allies”.

A UK Government spokesperson mentioned: “As routine, we do not comment on operational measures.”