- Starmer could allow Trump to use British bases to strike Iran
- Attorney General warns such assistance could breach international law
- A Cobra committee is on high alert, as Starmer under pressure
Starmer could allow Trump to use British bases to strike Iran
Baroness Harriet Harman cautioned that Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose political identity was shaped by opposition to Iraq, might ultimately permit U.S. use of UK-controlled bases, such as Diego Garcia or RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, for strikes on Iran if President Trump requested it. Attorney General Richard Hermer has warned that such assistance could breach international law unless it meets strict criteria, for instance, demonstrable imminence of threat and UK legal approval. A Cobra committee is on high alert, UK assets are being safeguarded, and Starmer is under pressure to balance alliance loyalty with legal and ethical constraints.
IN FULL: Starmer could allow Trump use of British bases to attack Iran, says Harriet Harman
🔁 Reactions:
- Government (Baroness Harman, former Solicitor-General): Exactly—it could be difficult to say thank you for the trade deal, then deny base use. (news.sky.com)
- Opposition (legal/ethics campaigners): We need transparency on the AG’s advice; the public must know the legal basis before engagement.
- Viral/Public (defence analyst): Starmer is facing the toughest test since Iraq—legally and diplomatically balancing alliance and principle.
📰 Bias Snapshot:
- Sky News spotlights personal reflections and moral tension—Harman’s Iraq-era framing adds weight (theguardian.com).
- The Guardian/Reuters/AP offer measured detail on legal advice, Cobra alerts, and diplomatic manoeuvres—minimal editorial tone (theguardian.com).
- Financial Times delves into UK legal obligations, defence posture, and implications for international law and alliance credibility (theguardian.com).
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative.