Chris Philp has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over his refusal to permit American forces to utilise British military bases, amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Home Secretary branded the decision “deeply harmful” to the nation’s interests and a “disgrace”.
“Once again, Keir Starmer has revealed himself to be a weak lawyer and not a leader,” he declared.
Mr Philp accused the Prime Minister of effectively siding with Tehran over Washington, suggesting Sir Keir appeared to believe “supporting the Iranian regime was more important than supporting America”.
The Conservative frontbencher described the decision as “disgraceful” and evidence the PM lacks the qualities necessary to defend Britain’s position on the world stage against what he termed “terrorist regimes like Iran”.
Mr Philp suggested Sir Keir had placed excessive weight on the legal interpretations of Attorney General Lord Hermer rather than acting in Britain’s national interest.
He argued Sir Keir’s approach prioritised “the Attorney General’s very expansive views of international law” over standing alongside a longstanding transatlantic partner.
The Shadow Home Secretary drew an unfavourable comparison with other allied nations, noting both Australia and Canada had offered their support to the United States during the current crisis.
Chris Philp has taken aim at Keir Starmer for his ‘disgraceful’ decision on Iran
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GB NEWS / PA
“Instead of supporting America, Keir Starmer just sat back and refused to let them use British military bases,” Mr Philp stated.
Mr Philp outlined what he characterised as a catalogue of Iranian aggression, claiming the regime had killed approximately 30,000 of its own citizens within recent weeks alone.
He accused Tehran of backing Hamas in attacks that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths, with victims “murdered, raped and kidnapped”.
The Shadow Home Secretary also highlighted Iranian-sponsored terrorist activity on British soil.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog told GB News this is the ‘moment of truth’ for Keir Starmer
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GB NEWS“If Iran ever got a nuclear weapon that would be a disaster for global security, because they’re a rogue state,” Mr Philp warned.
He pointed to Iranian interference with maritime traffic through the Straits of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil transportation, noting Tehran claims to have closed the waterway.
Mr Philp concluded that American military action against Iran was therefore justified, given the scale of the threat posed.
He called unequivocally for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to be banned in Britain.
Chris Philp criticised the Prime Minister for ‘failing to take a stand’
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GB NEWS
“We should definitely proscribe, that is to say, ban the IRGC, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is a band of murderous thugs who essentially control Iran on behalf of the ayatollahs, but they also export terrorism around the world,” he said.
The Shadow Home Secretary identified the IRGC as the primary backers of Hamas and Hezbollah.
He expressed particular concern about the organisation’s activities within the United Kingdom, citing evidence of repression and terrorist plotting on British territory.
Mr Philp emphasised Iran represents a triple threat: to its own population, to regional stability, and to international security more broadly.