Standing in for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner tells MPs that UK would act 'in the national interest' as tensions in region continue to rise
UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner warned of a “rapid worsening” situation in the Middle East during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, defending the government's decision to prepare military assets for contingency support.
Standing in for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Rayner told MPs that the UK would act “in the national interest” as tensions in the region continue to rise.
Opening the session, Rayner explained Starmer's absence and outlined the UK government's position on several pressing global issues.
She said: “Keir Starmer has been at the G7. The UK is working with partners to urge de-escalation in the Middle East, to get a ceasefire in Ukraine, and to work in the national interest.”
The heightened tensions in the Middle East prompted a direct challenge from Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party co-leader.
Ramsay pressed Rayner on whether parliament would be given a say on any future decision to provide military assistance to Israel.
In response, Rayner warned of the dangers of further escalation and underlined the government's readiness to support British interests abroad.
She said: “There is a clear potential for ‘rapid worsening' of the situation in the Middle East. Jets have been transferred to supply contingency support for British forces. The government will act in the national interest.”
