Sir Keir Starmer must seek Parliament’s mandate before sending British troops to Iran, the chairman of the Defence Select Committee has warned.
Tan Dhesi, speaking to GB News’ Political Editor on Chopper’s Political Podcast, issued the warning after the PM ruled out joining the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
However, he said any offensive operation would mean it would be ministers’ “duty to come and explain themselves in Parliament”.
A parliamentary mandate is “important… not just for our democracy, but also for cohesion,” Mr Dhesi added.
The PM refused MPs the opportunity to vote on defensive measures, saying there was “no way” he could have waited for a decision from the Commons over the weekend – because decisions must be made as “a matter of some urgency”.
Then on Tuesday, Sir Keir confirmed HMS Dragon would be sent to defend Cyprus and the two RAF bases there.
Sir Keir Starmer must seek Parliament’s mandate before sending British troops to Iran, Tan Dhesi said
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The Type 45 destroyer is the only vessel in the British arsenal with the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles.
However, GB News understands the ship’s transit to Cyprus could be delayed – while NavyLookout revealed it may not depart Portsmouth until early next week.
Mr Dhesi backed sending HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean without a vote, but was then probed on whether any British boots on the ground would require the same lack of approval.
“If ever there was an operation… or we’re being sucked into a war where we’re sending British servicemen and women out there on the ground to engage in a conflict, I think it’s imperative that the Government of the day gets that parliamentary mandate,” he said.
HMS Dragon is currently floating in Portsmouth
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Any more delays to British involvement in the Middle East would risk the wrath of Donald Trump, who vented yesterday at how Sir Keir was “no Winston Churchill”.
Because of the Chagos “surrender” deal, it took three or four days for the US to “work out” where it could land its aircraft, Mr Trump said.
“It would have been much more convenient landing there as opposed to flying many extra hours.
Donald Trump said Sir Keir was ‘no Winston Churchill’
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“So we are very surprised. This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” he said.
The UK has so far allowed American planes to use its bases to bomb launch vehicles for drones and missiles “at source” in Iran.
Mr Dhesi said that was being done “in self-defence, which is compliant with international law”.