Angela Rayner tells PMQs that 'UK agrees with President Trump that Iran must not have nuclear weapons’

The deputy prime minister has said that the UK “agrees with President Trump that Iran must never have nuclear weapons” amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper put it to Angela Rayner at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday if the UK Government would “blindly follow” the US into war with Iran if Trump launched strikes.

It comes as tensions rise in the Middle East amidst ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran.

Cooper asked the deputy PM, who is filling in for Keir Starmer: “In 2003, we Liberal Democrats were incredibly proud to lead the campaign against the Iraq War, a war in which the UK blindly followed the US in a move which was not backed by the United Nations.

“In light of reports that President Trump is seriously considering joining the war between Israel and Iran, launching a US strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, can the deputy prime minister confirm that, if President Trump does do this, that today’s Labour Government will not blindly follow the US into war again?”

Rayner responded: “The one thing I will say is we agree with President Trump that Iran must never have nuclear weapons.

“But we’ve been consistent in urging Iran to engage in the diplomatic process and work with the United States, and we continue to support that diplomatic approach.”

Rayner earlier said the UK Government had deployed jets to the Middle East for “the safety of British nationals and the UK national interest”.

“In an era of global instability, we are working with our partners to urge de-escalation in the Middle East, put pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and deliver security renewal for the British people,” she said.

“The situation in the Middle East is fast moving and deeply concerning. There is a clear potential for significant and rapid worsening of the situation, and every step that we take we will always be guided by what the safety of British nationals and the UK national interest.“

On Wednesday, families of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem have been “temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure”, the Foreign Office said.