The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Demands for MPs to have say on Syria intervention
Call for parliamentary vote ahead of any military action as Russia-US tension grows
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 from the Chilcott Report, are that there’s got to be a proper process of consultation.
“We elect members of parliament. They should have a voice. Cabinet on its own should not be making this decision. Just imagine the scenario if an American missile shoots down a Russian plane or vice versa.”
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.”
Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “It is a very delicate circumstance, and we’ve got to make this judgment on a very well thought-through basis, knowing exactly how strong the evidence is.”
Mr Davis suggested he had changed his mind since he voted against Syrian intervention in 2013 when David Cameron was prime minister.
As for the reasons why he voted against, “one was because he (Mr Cameron) hadn’t provided the evidence and intelligence that we knew who it was, and secondly because there was not a proper plan which was thought through properly.”
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 this week.
Kremlin-backed news agency Tass reported that Russian military police will be deployed to the city to maintain law and order.
Mr Trump’s latest intervention came after he previously tweeted that missiles “will be coming”.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted no final decisions had been taken.
Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkinhad, warned they would shoot down US rockets and “even the sources that launched the missiles” – suggesting they could hit American aircraft or warships.
That prompted Mr Trump to tweet: “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria.
“Get ready, Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart’. You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”