'NO OTHER CHOICE'
Theresa May calls Donald Trump to hail Syria airstrikes a ‘success’ after Jeremy Corbyn calls them ‘legally questionable’
THERESA May has followed Donald Trump in hailing the Syria airstrikes a "success" - as Jeremy Corbyn accused her of breaking the law.
The PM linked the gas attacks by the Assad regime to the use of a nerve agent on the streets of Salisbury as she insisted last night’s airstrikes were in the British national interest.
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In telephone conversations this afternoon, May, Trump and Emmanuel Macron agreed the bombings had been a "success".
A statement from Downing street added: "The Prime Minister welcomed the public support which had been given by fellow world leaders for the strong stand the UK, France and the United States had taken in degrading Syria's chemical weapons capability and deterring their use, defending global rules, and sending a clear message that the use of chemical weapons can never become normalised."
But Mrs May has sparked a massive political row - with Mr Corbyn blasting her for taking part in military action which had "no legal basis".
The PM announced overnight that Britain had sent four RAF jets to bomb a suspected chemical weapons facility in Douma, in US-led revenge attacks.
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Speaking in 10 Downing Street this morning, the Prime Minister said: “We agreed that it was both right and legal to take military action, together with our closest allies, to alleviate further humanitarian suffering by degrading the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capability and deterring their use.
"This was not about interfering in a civil war. And it was not about regime change. It was a limited, targeted and effective strike with clear boundaries that expressly sought to avoid escalation and did everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.
US, UK and France launch air strikes in Syria in response to chemical attack
What we know so far:
- US, UK and French launched airstrikes on Syria in revenge for 'evil' chemical attack
- Pentagon confirms 105 missiles were launched against several facilities
- RAF Tornado jets bomb Syria chemical weapons factory in Homs with Storm Shadow missiles in strikes that saw 105 missiles launched against several facilities
- Tomahawk missiles were fired from a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Mediterranean, while French military also launched cruise missiles from warship
- Syrian media says three civilians were injured in 'a flagrant violation of international law'
- Trump tweeted that the raid were 'perfectly executed'
- PM Theresa May says the attack was 'absolutely in Britain's national interest'
- Jeremy Corbyn, called the strikes 'legally questionable'
- Putin warns of 'consequences' for an 'act of aggression' that had 'destructive influence on the entire system of international relations'
“This collective action sends a clear message that the international community will not stand by and tolerate the use of chemical weapons.
She added: "Although of a much lower order of magnitude, the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK in recent weeks is part of a pattern of disregard for these norms.
"So while this action is specifically about deterring the Syrian regime, it will also send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity.
"There is no graver decision for a Prime Minister than to commit our forces to combat – and this is the first time that I have had to do so. As always, they have served our country with the greatest professionalism and bravery - and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
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"We would have preferred an alternative path, but on this occasion there is none. We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised – either within Syria, on the streets of the UK or elsewhere.
"We must reinstate the global consensus that chemical weapons cannot be used. This action is absolutely in Britain’s national interest.
"The lesson of history is that when the global rules and standards that keep us safe come under threat, we must take a stand and defend them. That is what our country has always done, and that is what we will continue to do."
During a press conference, Mrs May defended her decision to launch strikes without holding a vote in the Commons - but revealed she will appear in Parliament on Monday to allow MPs to question her.
And she repeatedly refused to rule out taking further military action if Assad continues to deploy deadly chemical weapons.
Mrs May indicated that secret intelligence had convinced Britain and its allies that Bashar al-Assad must have been responsible for the chemical attack on Douma.
Jeremy Corbyn says bombing strikes on Syria were illegal
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She insisted some of the information must remain classified - but revealed spy bosses had concluded that Syrian regime forces used a helicopter to drop a barrel bomb containing the toxic chemicals.
The PM added: “No other group could have carried out this attack.”
She also sent a letter to all MPs and peers this afternoon in which she laid out the case for taking action.
But in a furious statement, Jeremy Corbyn suggested that the PM may have broken the law by launching the bomb attacks without a vote of MPs.
The Labour boss said: “Bombs won’t save lives or bring about peace. This legally questionable action risks escalating further, as US defence secretary James Mattis has admitted, an already devastating conflict and therefore makes real accountability for war crimes and use of chemical weapons less, not more likely.
“Britain should be playing a leadership role to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict, not taking instructions from Washington and putting British military personnel in harm’s way.
“Theresa May should have sought parliamentary approval, not trailed after Donald Trump.”
He went further during a TV interview, saying Mrs May had signed up to "unilateral action with no legal basis".
Asked why he believes the strikes were illegal, Mr Corbyn replied: "You could only do it on the basis of self-defence, if there was a direct threat to us - and there wasn't."
He has now written to the PM demanding that she make the legal justification for the military action public.
Mr Corbyn - who was briefed on the raids by Mrs May last night - said: "You assured me that the Attorney General had given clear legal advice approving the action. I would therefore be grateful if you would publish this advice in full today."
This afternoon the Government published a summary of the legal case - which argues that Britain had the right to strike to alleviate humanitarian suffering.
Legal advisers ruled that because there was no other way to stop the ongoing use of chemical weapons, the airstrikes were justified under international law.
Asked about Mr Corbyn's concerns, the British ambassador to the UN Karen Pierce replied: "We are certain, but thank you for asking."
Prime Minister Theresa May announces that the UK will join the targeted military actions towards Syria's chemical capability
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Lib Dem leader Vince Cable added: “Riding the coattails of an erratic US President is no substitute for a mandate from the House of Commons.
“The Prime Minister could and should have recalled Parliament this week and sought the approval of MPs before proceeding.”
And Nicola Sturgeon said: "We cannot tolerate Syria's use of chemical weapons on a civilian population - but there has been no explanation from the Prime Minister or the President on how this action, taken without Parliament's approval, will halt the use of chemical weapons or contribute to a long-term peace in the area."
Angry MPs insisted the Prime Minister should have recalled Parliament - which has been in recess for two weeks - for an emergency debate and vote before joining the US military action.
The SNP’s David Linden wrote on Twitter this morning: “MPs are sitting in their living rooms watching a statement that should have been made in the floor of the House of Commons.”
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw added: “I welcome the limited and targeted international action in response to Assad’s chemical weapons’ crimes. It’s five years late. But May should have sought Commons’ approval and still should, retrospectively.”
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Ex-PM David Cameron, who wanted to attack Assad in 2013 but lost a Commons vote on his plans, welcomed news that the West has taken action.
He said: “I firmly support the military action taken in Syria. The barbaric and intolerable use of chemical weapons should never go unchecked. As we have seen in the past, inaction has its consequences.”
And in a boost for Mrs May, some rebel Tories who have previously opposed strikes on Syria signalled they have changed their minds and spoke out in support of her.
She was also backed by her DUP allies, and by the Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones.
EU chiefs called on Assad’s close allies Russia and Iran to put pressure on the dictator not to repeat his use of toxic weapons.
They said in a statement: “The EU calls upon all countries, notably Russia and Iran, to use their influence to prevent any further use of chemical weapons, notably by the Syrian regime.
US, UK and France launch air strikes in Syria in response to chemical attack
The EU also threatened to impose further sanctions on the Assad government.
In the early hours of this morning, Donald Trump told the world that US, British and French military forces had launched precision strikes after a chemical weapons attack killed up to 75 people on April 7.
He tweeted today: "A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!"
Mrs May said overnight that there was evidence Assad's regime was responsible for the deadly attack, and that diplomatic negotiations had failed.
She said: "This evening I have authorised British armed forces to conduct coordinated and targeted strikes to degrade the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability and deter their use.
"The Syrian regime has a history of using chemical weapons against its own people in the most cruel and abhorrent way.
"And a significant body of information including intelligence indicates the Syrian regime is responsible for this latest attack.
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President Donald Trump condemns Syrian chemical attacks and calls them 'crimes of a monster'
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President Donald Trump APPROVES US airstrikes on Syria are 'imminent' and UK bombers will help
"This persistent pattern of behaviour must be stopped."
She said they had tried "every possible diplomatic channel" but that all negotiations "have been repeatedly thwarted."
The PM said Russia had vetoed a Resolution at the UN Security Council which would have established an independent investigation into the Douma attack.
They have since rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the United States and its allies against Syria.
Only three countries Russia, China and Bolivia voted in favor of the resolution at the end of an emergency meeting of the 15-member council called by Russia today.
A resolution needs at least 9 "yes" votes to be approved.
Mrs May said: ";There is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.
"This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties."
It followed a dramatic day of developments:
- Sources revealed the furious PM has vowed to stop Assad ever using chemical weapons again;
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned “the Cold War is back with a vengeance”;
- Russia’s defence ministry claimed Britain staged and directed the chlorine gas attacks in Syria;
- Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin spoke and vowed to do their all to “de-escalate” the crisis;
- Jeremy Corbyn sparked uproar by refusing to blame Assad and called for a vote on any strikes;
- Security advisers said Russia had been hacking Salisbury victim Yulia Skripal’s emails for five years
- Trump confirmed he had authorised air strikes and that Britain and France's military would be involved in the response
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Theresa May's announcement that UK forces will join US led airstrikes on Syria
This evening I have authorised British armed forces to conduct co-ordinated and targeted strikes to degrade the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons capability and deter their use.
We are acting together with our American and French allies.In Douma, last Saturday a chemical weapons attack killed up to 75 people, including young children, in circumstances of pure horror.
The fact of this attack should surprise no-one.
The Syrian Regime has a history of using chemical weapons against its own people in the most cruel and abhorrent way.
And a significant body of information including intelligence indicates the Syrian Regime is responsible for this latest attack.
This persistent pattern of behaviour must be stopped – not just to protect innocent people in Syria from the horrific deaths and casualties caused by chemical weapons but also because we cannot allow the erosion of the international norm that prevents the use of these weapons.
We have sought to use every possible diplomatic channel to achieve this.
But our efforts have been repeatedly thwarted.
Even this week the Russians vetoed a Resolution at the UN Security Council which would have established an independent investigation into the Douma attack.
So there is no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Regime.
This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change.
It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.
And while this action is specifically about deterring the Syrian Regime, it will also send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity.
At this time, my thoughts are with our brave British servicemen and women – and our French and American partners – who are carrying out their duty with the greatest professionalism.
The speed with which we are acting is essential in co-operating with our partners to alleviate further humanitarian suffering and to maintain the vital security of our operations.
This is the first time as Prime Minister that I have had to take the decision to commit our armed forces in combat – and it is not a decision I have taken lightly.
I have done so because I judge this action to be in Britain’s national interest.
We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalised – within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world.
We would have preferred an alternative path.
But on this occasion there is none.History teaches us that the international community must defend the global rules and standards that keep us all safe.
That is what our country has always done. And what we will continue to do.
The MoD confirmed four Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s launched Storm Shadow missiles at a military facility – a former missile base – fifteen miles west of Homs.
It is believed chemical weapons were stored at the location, in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that last night's strike was "a highly successful mission".
Speaking to presenter John Humphrys, he said: "The reason we have taken this action is because we all saw the images last week of the suffering that had been inflicted on innocent men, women and children, and there has been a need to act.
"That's why last night we deployed four Tornados armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. You will be pleased to hear all of those crews have returned safely and every early indication is that is has been a highly successful mission."
He added: "This is something we have been in discussion with the US and French over the last few days but obviously the meeting of Cabinet is where this was properly discussed."
Mr Williamson said the service personnel involved in last night's attack have played "an important role in terms of degrading the Syrian regime in using chemical weapons in the future".
Mr Williamson said the Prime Minister was right to go ahead with action despite not having the backing of Parliament.
He told Today: "The speed in which we are acting is essential."
But Syrian state media said three innocent civilians were wounded in the missile attack.
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The order to strike is the first time Theresa May has engaged in military force, and she said: "It is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"I have done so because I judge this action to be in Britain's national interest."
Boris Johnson tweeted saying he welcomed the strikes, adding: "The world is united in its disgust for any use of chemical weapons, but especially against civilians."
President Donald Trump says Russia must decide which side to take and says the US has a lot to offer
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