Richard Tice has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “kowtowing to Islamist extremists” in an extraordinarily explosive moment on GB News.
Speaking to National Reporter Will Godley at a protest outside Downing Street, the Reform UK deputy leader lashed out at Labour’s handling of the crisis playing out in the Middle East.
After the US and Israel launched “pre-emptive” strikes on Iran on Saturday morning, Tehran has been hitting back with retaliatory rockets targeting cities across the region.
Meanwhile, back home, British Iranians have taken to the streets to celebrate the death of the Ayatollah, which was confirmed last night, and have urged Sir Keir’s party to take a stronger stance on the crisis.
Explaining why he was attending the protest in central London today, Mr Tice said: “To show our solidarity with the brave people of Iran who are trying to get rid of this terrible, terrible regime.
“The courage here, but also, in a sense, to commemorate the courage of those who pay the ultimate sacrifice in recent weeks and before.”
Mr Tice compared such “courage” to the “gutlessness” of Sir Keir and Defence Secretary John Healey – both of whom have refused to give their explicit support to the US.
However, they both confirmed British planes were “in the sky” as part of defensive operations to protect British nations – as well as British allies.
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“I mean, it really is pathetic,” Mr Tice fumed. “We have been humiliated on the international stage by this Government and they will pay a terrible price.
“We are standing up. This is a once in 50-year moment of history to get rid of this terrible regime.
“And we should actually be standing in solidarity, thanking Israel, thanking the United States and their respective leaders.
“Instead, we’ve just got cowardice. This Prime Minister has kowtowed to the Islamist extremists by not giving that support. It’s utterly woeful. It’s embarrassing.”
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He continued: “[The Iranians] need to know that they’ve got our full support. Not the cowardice of the Labour Government, the hard left. That’s the defining moment here.
“We’re all a part of it – but we have to stand together.”
On Saturday morning, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney backed American action, saying: “Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from threatening international peace and security.”
Speaking at a forum in Mumbai, he added: “Canada’s position remains clear: The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.”
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his support for Mr Trump’s action in its bid to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and “prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security”, echoing Canada’s position.
Mr Albanese said: “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.”
Citing other Commonwealth nations coming out in support for the move, Mr Tice added: “Instead this Prime Minister, it appears, refused to allow the US to use our bases here and in Diego Garcia.
“And therefore, you’ve got a situation where now the American administration, President Trump, will lose confidence in the United Kingdom’s leadership and Government.
“When the chips are down, you want to know that your leaders are there, that your friends and allies are there. Now, they can’t trust the UK.”