Today, Theresa May has been criticised for joining the US and France in a military operation in Syria without the approval of the UK parliament. The Prime Minister defends her decision and claims that the UK isn’t blindly following Donald Trump’s administration and that the strike was for the “national safety interest”.

According the Prime Minister, the strike was “morally and legally” right and the international community, including the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, has approved the operation in Syria.

She also said that Russia and Syria have blocked investigations over the use of chemical weapons and that the UK must immediately react without waiting for an official report.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbin, declared that the attack is “legally questionable” and that it could lead to war. He is totally disagreeing with May’s decision. Theresa May responds that the UK will continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Syria but that it’s not possible to accept the use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Déborah Miller

For further information:

 The Guardian. Turnbull to discuss Syria strikes with Theresa May on Europe trip, April 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/turnbull-to-discuss-syria-strikes-with-theresa-may-on-europe-trip

News.com. British Prime Minister Theresa May defends decision for UK to join US, France in Syria strike, Annabel Hennesy, April 2018, http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/british-prime-minister-theresa-may-defends-decision-for-uk-to-join-us-france-in-syria-missile-strike/news-story/928cc9e879def1021175cc241ad1afc9

EuroNews. May tells Parliament UK acted in “national interest” overs Syria strikes, April 20118, http://www.euronews.com/2018/04/16/watch-live-theresa-may-faces-parliament-over-syria-strikes