Chamberlain: UK at risk of complicity in war crimes

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain MP has today called on Keir Starmer to withdraw US access to UK air bases to prevent Britain becoming an “accomplice to war crimes.”

It comes following President Trump and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s threats to carry out mass bombing of civilian infrastructure in Iran, with Trump stating that “a whole civilisation will die tonight,” if Iran and the US fail to reach an agreement before the deadline.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, Ms Chamberlain Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller, and 55 fellow Liberal Democrat MPs have called on Keir Starmer to urgently withdraw the access granted to US planes to use UK bases, and to make a statement on how the UK will continue to work with other allies to ensure protection for our citizens, interests and allies.

In the letter, they add that if the Government refuses to act, they must at the very least formally clarify and publish the conditions placed on the US for use of our bases to ensure it is only defensive, commit to monitoring the outcome of all sorties and report these to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee.

Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain said:

"President Trump’s bloodthirsty threats to target civilian infrastructure in Iran signal a clear intent to breach international law. The UK Government needs to take care; by continuing to grant the US access to our airbases, the Prime Minister risks making the United Kingdom an accomplice to war crimes.

"The Liberal Democrats are calling for the immediate withdrawal of consent for the US to use British bases like Prestwick and Lossiemouth. We cannot allow British soil to be used as a platform for illegal military action.

“If the Government refuses to act, they must at the very least publish the strict conditions permitting this access to ensure it is only defensive, commit to monitoring every action and report their findings to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.”