A LABOUR minister has been slammed over a “nightmare” interview in which she failed to commit to overturn Tory secrecy on arms exports to Israel – despite the party committing to this in opposition.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall repeatedly refused to back promises made just weeks ago by her party before the election to publish legal advice on the sale of weapons to Israel.
There are significant concerns the UK is complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza, with a number of high level investigations ongoing into the country’s conduct.
Prior to the election, David Lammy (above) in his former role as shadow foreign secretary, pushed the UK Government to publish its legal advice on selling weapons to Israel.
But last week, in his new role as Foreign Secretary, Lammy said he had commissioned a new review into the matter – giving no timescale for its completion.
READ MORE: SNP call for suspension of Israel arms sales in letter to Foreign Secretary
Challenged on this on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Kendall was asked whether Labour would suspend arms sales to Israel.
What a shambles. The Labour Leadership cannot demand things of the Government in opposition then dither and delay on those exact same demands when in Government
— Cllr Martin Abrams 🕊️🍉 (@Martin_Abrams) July 23, 2024
Liz Kendall had an absolute nightmare on #r4today defending this
Publish the Legal Advice and #StopArmingIsrael NOW pic.twitter.com/uhbpR7ZCh8
She said: “The Prime Minister has set out our roadmap to get that immediate ceasefire, that we want to get the hostages out, the aid in as part of a long-term two-state solution, that is the approach of this government. I know many colleagues, my constituents too feel passionate about this issue.”
Pushed on whether the Government would publish the legal advice, Kendall said: “We actually campaigned as a changed Labour Party and we will deliver as a changed Labour government, too.
READ MORE: Israel using water as 'weapon of war' as Gaza supply drops 94 per cent, report finds
“We want to see that immediate ceasefire, the only long-term solution to the horror that we’re seeing in Gaza is to get that ceasefire and build towards a long-term two-state solution. We are working extremely hard on this.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“David Lammy has already visited Israel, I know he’s in those long-term discussions. Colleagues feel very passionately about it as do people across the country.”
Challenged again, Kendall refused to commit to publishing the advice, saying: “We will be setting out more plans, I’m sure, in the weeks and months ahead but what I would say to your listeners is we are determined to everything we can as an international ally to get that immediate ceasefire.
READ MORE: Top UN court rules Israel’s settlement policy in Palestine violates international law
“The urgent, urgent priority is to stop the fighting now, to get the hostages out, to get the aid in and that’s what we’ll work to deliver.”
Her performance was criticised by south London Labour councillor Martin Abrams, who said: “What a shambles. The Labour Leadership cannot demand things of the Government in opposition then dither and delay on those exact same demands when in Government
“Liz Kendall had an absolute nightmare on #r4today defending this.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel