Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s “reckless attack” on Israel “in the strongest terms”. Watch political reaction in Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am.
Sunday 14 April 2024 12:32, UK
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Our political correspondent Rob Powell has just spotted essential supplies being delivered to the Foreign Office – in the form of a very large takeaway order.
According to our calculations, there are at least 20 pizzas on the menu for those in the office today, costing at least £10.95 a piece.
He says: “A sizeable takeaway order being delivered to the Foreign Office just now as the UK works out its diplomatic response to the attacks overnight.”
We know whose door we’ll be knocking on for Pizza Pilgrims and Shake Shack…
Earlier today, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins appeared on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, where they discussed the escalation overnight in the Middle East.
The minister said this “was a significant attack”, and confirmed that RAF jets did fly to the region overnight – but was unable to give any further details.
You can watch the conversation in full below:
Royal Air Force jets shot down “a number of drones” fired by Iran in the Middle East yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.
He added that “the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate” had Iran’s attack on Israel been successful.
Mr Sunak said: “Last night Iran launched a barrage of missiles and attack drones across the Middle East towards Israel.
“This is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation which I have condemned in the strongest terms.
“Thanks to an international co-ordinated effort, which the UK participated in, almost all of these missiles were intercepted, saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well.”
Mr Sunak confirms that the UK sent “additional planes” to the region as part of operations already under way in Iraq and Syria.
“I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones.”
The prime minister also confirms that he chaired a COBRA meeting on Friday “to agree a plan of action”.
“It’s clear that Iran is determined to sow discontent and destabilise the region – it’s own backyard – that’s very clear from its actions.”
He says, had the attack been successful, the fallout for regional stability “would be hard to overstate”.
“What we now need is for calm heads to prevail.”
Mr Sunak says the UK will be “working with our allies” to “deescalate the situation”.
People voting in local elections in England on 2 May will need to provide photo ID.
It is the second year the requirement has been in place – but in 2023, 14,000 people couldn’t cast their ballot because they didn’t take ID to the polling booth.
There are 22 different types of ID you can use – and if you don’t have any of them, you can register for a Voter Authority Certificate.
Here’s everything you need to know to avoid being caught out:
More than 200 people were spotted illegally crossing the Channel on Saturday after four days without any sightings, the Home Office has said.
A total of 214 people were seen making their way across the water in five boats, meaning an average of 42 people were on each vessel.
It came after four days of quiet in the Channel, with the only other reported crossing this week being two boats of 82 people on Monday.
You can see more details from the Home Office below:
More now from shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who is on the media round for Labour this morning.
She says her party back the government’s decision to take action overnight to help protect Israel from an Iranian missile strike.
We understand that RAF planes were deployed to the Middle East, over Iraq and Syria, but it is unclear if British aircraft shot down missiles.
Ms Cooper told the BBC: “Let’s be clear, we support the existing government missions in the Middle East and continue to do so.
“That is important.
“We also think that it is important that action was taken overnight to prevent the Iranian strikes on Israel because we should be clear that if action hadn’t been taken to prevent those strikes, we would have seen further escalation and further risk of widening conflict.”
As the fallout from the Westminster honeytrap scandal continues to unravel, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson explain why contacts are so valuable in Parliament and ask what William Wragg’s resignation tells us about Rishi Sunak’s leadership.
And, with Labour riding high after two major polls predicted landslide victories at the upcoming election, should Keir Starmer be worried about voter complacency?
Plus, Beth, Ruth and Jess talk about the impact of Dr Hilary Cass’ review into gender identity services for under-18s in England.
👉Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts👈
Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at electoraldysfunction@sky.uk, post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.
Warning: some strong language.
Angela Rayner is set to become the UK’s deputy prime minister if Labour wins the next general election.
Here’s what you need to know about the party’s deputy leader – from her early life and career in politics to the abuse and controversy she has faced…
By Adam Boulton, Sky News commentator
Soul searching about the UK’s role in the world has broken out again following the publication of a pamphlet by senior diplomats including Mark Sedwill, a former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser.
The World in 2040: Renewing The UK’s Approach To International Affairs is being denounced for suggesting the Foreign Office should change its name and tone down its grand headquarters built in 1868 at the height of Great Britain’s imperial pomp.
The authors believe a lower profile would befit the reality of our station in the world.
“The UK finds itself today in a changed role as a medium-sized ‘off shore’ power”, the report asserts without explicitly mentioning Brexit.
“Our future has more in common with G20 nations like Japan and in Europe like Norway and Switzerland whose economies are closely linked to major economic neighbours.”
You can read more from Sky News below:
Trevor is now joined by his panel, who are discussing a video call set to be held by members of the G7 later today in the wake of the situation in the Middle East.
Tom Baldwin, the former Labour communications director, says what Joe Biden says and does in the region “really, really matters”.
“What Britain says and does matters a whole lot less. We’re not hugely influential in the Middle East, what we need to do is build our influence up by showing that we’re stable partners to leaders around the world like Joe Biden, and standing by our allies within NATO.”
Mr Baldwin says that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer “has significant foreign policy experience”, more so than most leaders of the opposition.
“This is someone who has actually worked with foreign governments before, and that’s quite rare in a leader of the opposition.
“And he’s learning on the job.”
That’s all for Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips today – but stick with us for all the latest political news from Westminster.
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