Greens call on Starmer to publish legal advice and allow vote on US-Israel military action
Scottish Greens External Affairs spokesperson Patrick Harvie MSP demands UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publish legal advice underpinning his decision to allow UK airbases to be used by the US military in its bombing of Iran. This follows remarks by Donald Trump suggesting that Downing Street had concerns about its legality.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Trump said that the UK’s delay in accepting a US request had “probably never happened between our countries before” and that “it sounds like he was worried about the legality”.
The interview came on the same day as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the US action would continue “regardless of what so-called international institutions say” and that there would be “no stupid rules of engagement … no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars”.
Scottish Greens External Affairs spokesperson, Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“These remarks from Trump and Hesgeth raise serious questions. If the Prime Minister had concerns about the legality of this action, the public deserves to know what changed. Keir Starmer must publish the legal advice he has received that underpinned his decision to change stance.
“If British bases, airspace or assets are being used in support of US action, then Parliament and the public must be told what Starmer thinks of the legal basis for the US action itself. At a time of rising tensions, transparency is essential to maintaining public trust.”
Patrick Harvie MSP also criticised Keir Starmer following reports he has blocked MPs from voting on the current action in the Commons. The Prime Minister stated he will only allow votes on ‘offensive’ actions, while this was ‘defensive’.
Patrick Harvie MSP added:
“The UK Government is hiding behind technicalities, in trying to label the UK’s role ‘offensive’ or ‘defensive’. The truth is that the US has launched what is unquestionably a war of aggression, and the UK risks being drawn into it by aiding the US and Israel’s assault.
“If the UK is participating in military operations or enabling them, MPs must have the opportunity to scrutinise and vote on that involvement as a matter or urgency. Blocking a parliamentary vote is a spineless attempt to escape scrutiny at the most critical time.
“When UK bases and assets are being used in such reckless actions, the Prime Minister should be held to account, not hiding behind his own technical definitions or carefully chosen language.”