US may not be war ally
‘Protest’ arrest ambassador is summoned as mob burns flag
WARNING Ben Wallace
BRITAIN must prepare to fight future wars without America, the Defence Secretary said yesterday.
Ben Wallace warned the increasing withdrawal of the US from worldwide leadership under Donald Trump meant the UK had to rethink assumptions.
His words came amid plans to review defence and foreign policy.
Mr Wallace said: “We depend on US air cover and intelligence. We need to diversify our assets.”
In Tehran on Saturday
A RAGING crowd burned the Union Jack outside the British embassy in Iran after our ambassador was accused of taking part in an antigovernment protest.
Rob Macaire was yesterday called to Iran’s foreign ministry to explain his alleged “illegal and inappropriate presence” at Saturday’s demo in Tehran.
Police had arrested and held him for three hours, accusing him of taking part in the protest, which began after a vigil for the 176 people who died when Iranian forces shot down flight PS752, a
Ukrainian passenger plane, while on high alert for a US strike on Wednesday.
The ambassador admits going to the vigil, but insists he left when it turned into a protest. He was then arrested when he stopped at a barber shop for a
Wreckage of missile haircut on his way back to the embassy. He tweeted: “Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations!
“Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of PS752 tragedy.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Mr Macaire’s arrest was a “flagrant violation” of international law.
He said: “The Iranian government is at a crossroads moment.
“It can continue its march towards pariah status, with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to de-escalate tensions.” After PM
ACCUSED Ambassador Rob Macaire and, below, his tweet
Boris Johnson held talks on Iran with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a No10 aide said: “They condemned Iran’s arrest of the UK ambassador to Tehran as a violation of international law.” Britain, France and Germany last night issued a joint statement, confirming their commitment to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. They also urged Iran to “reverse all measures inconsistent with the agreement”.
ANGRY Dominic Raab