MPs call for vote on Syria conflict
OPPOSITION leaders have demanded a parliamentary vote before any new military action in Syria as Theresa May called an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the growing international crisis.
The Prime Minister summoned her top team to No 10 amid signs she is preparing to join US-led air strikes against Syrian targets after saying “all the indications” were that President Bashar Assad’s regime was responsible for an alleged chemical attack on its own people last weekend.
And in a new twist to the unfolding diplomatic drama, US President Donald Trump issued a fresh tweet, saying: “Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn raised the spectre of the Iraq war as he insisted MPs should have their say.
He said: “Parliament must be consulted on this. Surely the lessons of Iraq, the lessons that came there from the Chilcott Report, are that there’s got to be, there has to be, a proper process of consultation.
“We elect Parliament, we elect members of Parliament. They should have a voice in this. Cabinet on its own should not be making this decision. The dangers of bombing now, which could escalate the conflict beyond belief.
“Just imagine the scenario if an American missile shoots down a Russian plane or vice versa. Where do we go from there?”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: “Parliament can and should be recalled immediately and a vote held on this issue.
“The position is a very dangerous one because of Russian involvement, also because we have an erratic president of the United States.”
SNP leader at Westminster Ian Blackford said: “I would simply say to the Prime Minister: be very careful, because you do not have a majority in Parliament. You are a minority Government, and you need to seek the consent of Parliament before you commit the United Kingdom to any action.”
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on a report that Royal Navy submarines had been ordered into range to launch Tomahawk cruise missile strikes as early as last night.
Downing Street would not be drawn on claims that Mrs May was preparing to authorise UK forces to strike against Assad, first seeking a vote in Parliament.
In a development yesterday morning, Russian media reported Syrian government forces had seized control of the city at the centre of the escalating tensions, Douma, where the attack late on Saturday is said to have taken place.
Kremlin-backed news agency Tass reported a Moscow official saying that Russian military police will be deployed to the city to maintain law and order.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had said it intended to send investigators to Douma to look for evidence of a chemical attack.