Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch just hours after signing a deal expressing intent to deploy UK troops in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister was accused of showing a “lack of respect” to MPs following his announcement with French President Emmanuel Macron last night.
Mrs Badenoch claimed it was unprecedented for a Prime Minister not to make a statement to the House of Commons about deploying British troops.
She said: “No, Prime Minister, Labour or Conservative, has failed to make a statement to the House in person after committing to the deployment of British troops.
“His comments about making a statement in due course quite frankly are not good enough.
“It shows a fundamental lack of respect for all of us here and the people we represent.”
However, Sir Keir revealed MPs would get the opportunity to vote if the declaration of intent necessitated troops being deployed to the ex-Soviet state.
The Prime Minister replied: “Military plans were drawn up some months ago and I’ve updated the House in relation to that.
Sir Keir revealed MPs would get the opportunity to vote if the declaration of intent necessitated troops being deployed to the ex-Soviet state.
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“Yesterday was a political declaration that sits under those powers.
“If there were to be deployment there would have to be a legal instrument.
“Deployment would only be after a ceasefire, to support Ukraine’s capabilities, to conduct deterrent operations and to construct and protect military hubs.
“There will be a statement to the House at the earliest opportunity.
Keir Starmer (C) speaks on stage to the troops during a visit to a British army base in the west of England | GETTY
“They claim they want to know about this and they want to shout me down.
“If there were a decision to deploy under the agreement that was signed yesterday, then I would put the matter to this House for a debate beforehand and a vote beforehand.”
Sir Keir signed the declaration of intent after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky last night.
Announcing the measures, Sir Keir Starmer told a press conference in the French capital: “We signed a Declaration of Intent on the deployment of forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch heaped pressure on the Prime Minister
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“This is a vital part of our iron cast commitment to stand with Ukraine for the long term.
“It paves the way for the legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerating Ukraine’s armed forces for the future.”
The Prime Minister added that Britain and France will establish “military hubs” across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment.
However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage today criticised the deal, admitting he would vote against deploying troops to the ex-Soviet state.
Leaders signed the Declaration of Intent in Paris today | TOM NICHOLSON/GETTY
He told The Times: “We neither have the manpower nor the equipment to go into an operation that clearly has no ending timeline.
“If it was a sort of Korean-style UN where lots of countries were involved and we could rotate in and out, I might consider it then.
“But frankly, what you saw yesterday was Macron standing there with the British Prime Minister.
Giorgia Meloni [the Italian Prime Minister] was outside having a cigarette, not getting involved. The German gave a speech and said nothing. The coalition of the willing is just two countries.”