Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to limit American access to British airbases after Donald Trump warned that “a whole civilisation” would die if Iran ignored his demands. Downing Street has not directly criticised the remarks, but has confirmed that US forces may use UK bases only for defensive missions, ruling out involvement in attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The Liberal Democrats and Greens, alongside some Labour MPs, have called for tougher action. Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, demanded that the UK immediately block US missions from leaving bases such as Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford, warning that failure to do so “risks making the United Kingdom an accomplice to war crimes”. Zack Polanski, leader of the Greens in England and Wales, said: “This is a rogue state carrying out war crimes and threatening more. The UK government must grow a spine and stop our bases being used for this war.”
Even Nigel Farage, Reform UK's leader and Trump's closest ally among major UK parties, condemned the president's comments as going “way too far”. Downing Street declined to comment on whether it would act if US forces targeted civilian infrastructure, with Starmer's spokesperson saying he would not comment on “a hypothetical”.
Labour MPs have also expressed alarm. Stella Creasy said the threat to destroy an entire civilisation was “beyond unconscionable” and called on Congress to consider the 25th amendment. Ben Goldsborough described Trump's words as “reckless and dangerous”, while Dawn Butler said they amounted to a threat of war crimes from “someone who is clearly deranged”. Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, questioned how the UK could be sure US forces were adhering to the defensive-only condition.
One senior Labour backbencher suggested following Spain's example, which has barred US aircraft involved in Iran attacks from its airspace. The MP said: “Britain cannot have any credibility on the world stage if it allows Donald Trump to use UK military bases for what is very clearly a threat of war crimes.” Starmer's spokesperson reiterated that UK bases are available only for defensive missions and that the UK acts in accordance with international law.
