Former Attorney General: Britain ‘stands alone’ over decision not to support US and Israel

A former Attorney General has said the Prime Minister’s decision not to support US-led strikes against Iran is due to concern about his voter base.

Speaking on GB News, Sir Michael Ellis said: “This is embarrassing. It is pathetic weakness by Keir Starmer, it has nothing to do with international law. He is actually causing more damage by citing international law to the concept of international law than anyone else.

“But look, Australia and Canada operate supposedly under the same international law. For that matter, so do the Americans. They have clearly found that it is within international law.

“Saudi Arabia is supporting America on this. Britain is standing alone, while Arab countries have supported America from the get go, not just since the attacks on the Gulf states.

“It’s pathetic weakness. It’s embarrassing. Ever since Ronald Reagan hit Libya in 1986 after Gaddafi blew up, his terrorist blew up a disco, killing two American service personnel and injuring 100 others. And Margaret Thatcher supported the US Air Force leaving from an RAF base in England. Other countries in Europe wouldn’t allow it.

“We have always had a relationship with the United States, where we’ve allowed our interests to be defended. You don’t have to wait. An armed police officer on the streets of London does not have to wait until someone shoots him.

“The relationship is damaged, seriously damaged because American lives are put at risk by the fact that they have to fly far greater distances from Missouri than they would do from Diego Garcia. We’ve allowed the use of that base before.

“I mean, the special relationship is in tatters here thanks to Starmer’s weak leadership. And by the way, it has absolutely nothing to do with international law. In my opinion, is to do with his votes. It’s to do with his concerns about votes.

“Executive power rests with the Prime Minister. Even if you take a look at international law, you have the right under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter to defend others. The phrase collective self-defence is currently used, but it’s the defence of others.

“So 43,000 Persian people were just murdered by this regime, according to figures in the region. The regime admits to 6,000 but the figure is probably more like 40,000.

“But if we allow them to develop a nuclear weapon and wait until that happens and then they use it, how is that in the international interest?”