Corbyn wants chemical attack probe

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday accused the UK Government of “waiting for instructions” from US president Donald Trump on how to proceed as he left open the possibility that Bashar Assad’s regime was not responsible for the attack.

Mr Corbyn said there must be an inquiry to find out who was responsible.

He said: “If there is proof the regime did it, then the regime must be held responsible. If there is proof that anybody else did it, they must be held responsible.”

Asked if there were circumstances in which he would back military action, he replied: “Let’s cross that bridge when we get there. My position is let’s do everything we can to stop the war at the present time.

“An escalation of the war is in nobody’s interests.”

The largest US air and naval strike force since the 2003 Iraq war was said to be heading towards Syria, according to UK press reports yesterday, paving the way for strikes within the next three days.

A statement released by Downing Street after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting made no direct reference to military action, but will be seen as a signal Britain would be prepared to join any US-led air strikes against the regime should the Americans decide to go ahead – putting it on a potential collision course with Assad’s principal backer Russia.

US broadcaster NBC quoted US officials familiar with the US intelligence as saying they had now obtained blood and urine samples which had tested positive for chemical weapons.

That assessment appeared to echo French President Emmanuel Macron, who said France had “proof ” that “at least chlorine” was used in the attack.

Jeremy Corbyn says May waiting on Trump instructions