Labour civil war as MPs slam Starmer’s ‘shameful and reckless’ Venezuela statement | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer has been criticized by his own MPs after making a “disgraceful and reckless” statement refusing to talk about Donald Trump following his attack on Venezuela, which saw the country’s President Nicolas Maduro reportedly captured and taken to the US.
The Prime Minister made the following statement on social media platform He added: “This morning I reiterated my support for international law. The UK Government will discuss the evolving situation with their US counterparts in the coming days as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.”
But the statement sparked fierce criticism from his own MPs, with Richard Burgon describing it as “disgraceful”. Mr Burgon claimed “international law had been thrown aside for appeasement” Donald Trump“
He added: “The world will see this hypocrisy for exactly what it is. Compare this to the principled words of Brazilian President Lula (below). This is true leadership.”
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, described the statement as a “dodge from the police”, adding: “Defending international law means condemning leaders who break those rules, whether they be Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump.”
The Prime Minister’s statement came later in the day after he surprised lawmakers by saying he would wait for President Trump’s statement before making his own statement.
Mr Starmer’s perceived slowness in responding to the attack sparked criticism from his own MPs earlier on Saturday. A Labor MP demanded the Prime Minister “stand against Trump’s gangster policies”. Criticizing Mr Starmer, Richard Burgon added that “Trump should respond to illegal bombings and kidnappings in the same way he would if Putin had carried them out.”
He was supported by fellow Labor MPs Jon Trickett, Kim Johnson and Kate Osborne. Mr Trickett posted a tweet online quoting the South American country’s Defense Minister as saying “we will not negotiate, we will not surrender and in the end we will triumph”.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski also condemned the attack and Mr Starmer later said after the Prime Minister’s announcement: “How quickly Keir Starmer tried to change the narrative from one of illegal kidnapping and oil grab to one that ‘has long supported the transition of power’.”
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, also condemned the strikes and called on the Prime Minister to do the same. He said: “Keir Starmer must condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but illegal attacks like this make us all less safe.”
He added: “Trump is giving the likes of Putin and Xi the green light to attack other countries with impunity.”
