Starmer says bombing of Yemen is in British interest

Hawkish Labour leader distances himself from Corbyn

- ARCHIE MITCHELL KATE DEVLIN

Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his support for British and American bombing raids in Yemen and denounced Iran for “sponsoring terrorism”.

In an article for The Independent, the Labour leader has defended his decision to offer strong support to Rishi Sunak for sending British forces into action against Houthi militants and acting in the “national interest”. He appeared to give the green light to further US and UK military action, saying “we must retain the flexibility to react with the necessary speed to threats”.

In a signal that he will not shirk from similar military action if he becomes prime minister, he warned “those who seek to damage Britain, to attack its interests and to threaten its people” that they should “be in no doubt as to the seriousness of our country’s resolve in response to their aggression”. But he repeated his call for the prime minister to explain his actions to MPs in parliament tomorrow.

He spoke out after being criticised by left-wingers close to Jeremy Corbyn for endorsing the bombing raids. Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, who now sits as an Independent MP, accused Sir Keir of going back on a pledge in his leadership campaign against Mr Corbyn.