Al Jazeera
Sir Keir Starmer has said it is a “fundamental principle” that the decision to deploy the British military rests with the UK prime minister.
The remarks come after the prime minister’s position was criticised again by US President Donald Trump over the weekend for his stance on the Middle East.
Speaking in London earlier today, Starmer addressed his earlier decision not to allow the US to use British bases to strike Iran, as well as the subsequent move to permit only “defensive” strikes.
“Those decisions about what’s in Britain’s best interests are decisions for the prime minister of Britain,” he said.
“That’s how I’ve approached all of the questions and all the decisions that I’ve had to make. It is really important. That’s a fundamental principle – that the UK prime minister would make the decisions, using our values, our principles, in the best interests of our country. And it’s really important that we, are very, very clear about that principle.”
The remarks come after the prime minister’s position was criticised again by US President Donald Trump over the weekend for his stance on the Middle East.
Speaking in London earlier today, Starmer addressed his earlier decision not to allow the US to use British bases to strike Iran, as well as the subsequent move to permit only “defensive” strikes.
“Those decisions about what’s in Britain’s best interests are decisions for the prime minister of Britain,” he said.
“That’s how I’ve approached all of the questions and all the decisions that I’ve had to make. It is really important. That’s a fundamental principle – that the UK prime minister would make the decisions, using our values, our principles, in the best interests of our country. And it’s really important that we, are very, very clear about that principle.”
