LONDON

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner warned of a “rapid worsening” situation in the Middle East during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, defending the government’s decision to prepare military assets for contingency support.

Standing in for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Rayner told MPs that the UK would act “in the national interest” as tensions in the region continue to rise.

Opening the session, Rayner explained Starmer’s absence and outlined the UK government's position on several pressing global issues.

She said: “Keir Starmer has been at the G7. The UK is working with partners to urge de-escalation in the Middle East, to get a ceasefire in Ukraine, and to work in the national interest.”

The heightened tensions in the Middle East prompted a direct challenge from Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party co-leader.

Ramsay pressed Rayner on whether parliament would be given a say on any future decision to provide military assistance to Israel.

In response, Rayner warned of the dangers of further escalation and underlined the government’s readiness to support British interests abroad.

She said: “There is a clear potential for ‘rapid worsening’ of the situation in the Middle East. Jets have been transferred to supply contingency support for British forces. The government will act in the national interest.”

Rayner signals no support to US if it attacks Iran

Rayner also indicated on Wednesday that Britain would not automatically support the US in any military action against Iran, stressing the government's preference for a diplomatic solution to rising tensions in the region.

*During Prime Minister's Questions, she responded to a question from Daisy Cooper, the deputy Liberal Democrat leader, about US President Donald Trump's reported intention to launch a military strike on Iran.

*She said the UK shared the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but added: “The government wants a diplomatic approach.”

Migration

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp also pressed Rayner on the government's handling of illegal Channel crossings and the stalled Rwanda deportation scheme.

Philp accused the government of losing control of the borders and asked whether it would commit to a “removals deterrent.” He also linked the small boats crisis to public safety, citing the Casey report's findings on some offenders being asylum seekers.

Rayner pushed back forcefully, saying: “If the Tories think the Rwanda scheme worked, they need to explain why more than 40,000 people arrived after the scheme was announced.”

She added: “Philp was a Home Office minister when immigration soared. And the last government spent £700 million ($942 million) on a Rwanda policy that led to just four people being deported.”