Starmer rebukes Trump, saying UK does not back ‘regime change from the skies’

{"text":[[{"start":11.65,"text":"Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at attacks by Donald Trump over Britain’s failure to support the US offensive in Iran, declaring: “This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”"}],[{"start":24.189999999999998,"text":"In another swipe at Trump, Starmer told the House of Commons that the UK would only take part in military action if there was “a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan”."}],[{"start":38.269999999999996,"text":"His comments delighted Labour MPs, some of whom have long wanted Starmer to be more robust towards Trump, and marked an escalation of tensions between London and Washington."}],[{"start":51.099999999999994,"text":"Earlier Trump said Starmer “took far too long” to shift his position on the US using UK military bases to launch strikes against Iran, and that he was “very disappointed” in the prime minister. "}],[{"start":65.28,"text":"Meanwhile Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, praised Israel for joining the action but criticised “so many of our traditional allies, who wring their hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing about the use of force”."}],[{"start":81.06,"text":"Starmer said he had taken a “deliberate” decision not to join the onslaught — which Trump said is intended to topple the regime in Tehran — and that he would never send UK forces into action if there was no legal basis."}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":95.01,"text":"Conservative MPs shouted “shame” at Starmer, and Kemi Badenoch, Tory leader, said that under the Labour government “international law always seems at odds with our national interest”."}],[{"start":109.46000000000001,"text":"But Starmer said: “President Trump expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in initial strikes. It is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest, that is what I’ve done and I stand by it.”"}],[{"start":126.96000000000001,"text":"Starmer said the UK was now allowing US bombers to use its joint base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for “specific” missions to take out Iranian missile depots and launchers, and to protect British interests in the Gulf and allies."}],[{"start":146.55,"text":"Trump said the shift in position was “useful”, but that Starmer should have given permission from the start, claiming that Iran had killed “a lot of people” from the UK. "}],[{"start":156.95000000000002,"text":"The US president also reiterated criticism of Starmer over his handling of a deal to hand UK sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. "}],[{"start":167.45000000000002,"text":"“All of a sudden [Mauritius] was claiming ownership. He should have fought it out and owned it or make him take it, if you want to know the truth. But no, we were very disappointed in Keir,” Trump said. "}],[{"start":null,"text":""}],[{"start":180.59000000000003,"text":"On Monday morning UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that an unmanned drone attack had hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri, Britain’s military base in Cyprus, on Sunday night. "}],[{"start":195.53000000000003,"text":"Starmer told MPs that it appeared the drone was launched before he announced the US would be allowed to use British bases to strike Iran. It landed about an hour after his statement was issued. Starmer told MPs no US bombers operated out of UK sovereign bases in Cyprus."}],[{"start":215.02000000000004,"text":"Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, said Britain should “take the gloves off” and help the US deliver regime change in Iran, adding that the “RAF, Royal Navy and intelligence” should be deployed."}],[{"start":229.31000000000003,"text":"Asked whether he would adhere to international law if he became prime minister, Farage said: “International law? It is what you want it to be, really. What is it? Who decides it?”"}],[{"start":242.35000000000002,"text":"Starmer, who was a human rights lawyer before he entered politics, said his critics seemed to be suggesting British forces should have joined the US-Israel strikes on Iran whether or not they complied with international law."}],[{"start":256.53000000000003,"text":"He promised MPs that Britain would not be joining offensive action in Iran, adding: “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons."}],[{"start":267.81,"text":"“Any UK actions will always have a lawful basis and a viable thought-through plan. We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now.”"}],[{"start":290.36,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1772504600_8703.mp3"}