PM: Stop playing games

Tory leader's UK jets remark sparks outrage

- BY ALEXANDER BROWN Assistant Political Editor & JEREMY ARMSTRONG Pictures TIM MERRY

KEIR Starmer has accused Kemi Badenoch of playing political games over the conflict in Iran. The PM blasted the Tory leader for seeking to "undermine Britain on the world stage" over whether she supported firing on Iranian missile bases.

She said: "What else are our jets doing, just hanging around there?" Mr Starmer said: "At moments like this, the country needs seriousness, not political games."

Amid concerns about the impact of the war on the cost of living, Mr Starmer, writing in this paper, assured the public they have a government 'on their side'. He said: "The world is uncertain. But the steps we have taken since day one of this government mean our country is better placed to navigate it."

Three more US Air Force supersonic B-1 Lancer bombers arrived Gloucester-shire's RAF Fairford yesterday, taking the total to four. They can carry a huge payload of 34 tons of explosives.

The presence of the 146ft strategic aircraft suggest Donald Trump's mega-attack on Iran, previously dubbed the "big one" may be imminent.