Lammy Calls for Investigation into National Security Council Leaks
David Lammy has called for an investigation into leaks from a National Security Council meeting that exposed divisions within the cabinet regarding the US use of British bases for strikes against Iran.
The Spectator reported that at a meeting last Friday, there was a suggestion to allow the US to use British bases to conduct defensive strikes against Iranian targets. This proposal faced opposition from Ed Miliband, Rachel Reeves, Yvette Cooper, and Shabana Mahmood.
Permission to permit the bases to be used against Iran’s missile sites was only granted on Sunday, following Tehran’s wave of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.
I don’t recognise those reports and I have to say I think it is a travesty that anyone should report from a National Security Council... because of course it puts British lives at risk and I hope that is properly investigated.
RAF Jets Could Legally Strike Iran's Missile Bases, Says Lammy
Welcome to the UK politics blog.
David Lammy stated this morning that Royal Air Force jets could legally strike Iranian missile sites that are being used to attack British interests in the Middle East.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that currently, F-35 and Typhoon jets are only intercepting missiles and drones fired by Iran at allied forces in the region.
However, he noted that there is a legal foundation for these jets to conduct direct strikes on Iranian bases used to launch attacks.
The UK has already granted the US permission to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran’s missile facilities.
It is entirely legal to protect our people and protect our staff, and therefore all operational capability is available to us in those circumstances.
Lammy added that the UK possesses satellite and intelligence capabilities sufficient to identify Iranian sites.
When asked whether the UK could fire at an Iranian base preemptively to prevent an attack, he responded:
It is my understanding that that would be legal.
The UK is deploying four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar, along with Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone technology being sent to Cyprus, Keir Starmer announced during a press conference yesterday. He also confirmed that the US has been authorized to use British airfields for defensive missions and that HMS Dragon is en route to the Mediterranean.
Kemi Badenoch has advocated for the UK to take offensive action against Iran following attacks on UK bases. The Tory leader stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
We need to do what we can to stop the ability for these attacks to take place.
Immigration System Changes Spark Controversy
Shabana Mahmood has positioned herself at odds with Labour MPs by announcing a series of immigration system reforms that some critics compare to Donald Trump’s policies and warn could lead to a Windrush-style scandal. The home secretary unveiled her plans on Thursday, which include ending permanent refugee status and withdrawing government support from asylum seekers deemed unnecessary or who break the law.
Under a pilot scheme, a small number of asylum seekers whose claims are rejected will be offered an increased incentive payment of £10,000 per individual and up to £40,000 per family to leave Britain, Mahmood explained. She cited reforms introduced in Denmark, which she described as having achieved “great success” through the use of incentives.
Spy Arrests and Political Developments
The husband of a Labour MP and two other men have been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of spying for China. David Taylor, married to Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid, is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Nigel Farage has characterized the upcoming Senedd elections as a “referendum” on Keir Starmer’s leadership, as Reform UK prepares to challenge Plaid Cymru to end Labour’s century-long dominance in Wales. Launching Reform’s election manifesto in Newport on Thursday alongside the party’s newly appointed Welsh leader Dan Thomas, Farage stated:
It’s a Welsh election, but I’m afraid, whether you like it or not, it doubles up as a referendum on Keir Starmer’s premiership.
