UK ‘will not be drawn into wider war’ over Iran, says Starmer as he announces £53m to help with heating oil costs – UK politics live

PM says he wants conflict to end as soon as possible due to the impact on the cost of living

Keir Starmer is speaking at his press conference.

The war is entering its third week, he says.

First, we will protect our people in the region.

Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.

Moments like this also tell you about leadership … Now, there are others who would have made a different decision two weeks ago.

They would have rushed the UK headlong into this war without the full picture of what they were sending our forces into and without a plan to get us out.

It is no surprise that our closest and most important ally is so disappointed. The Labour government’s response to the crisis in Iran has been shameful.

We should have been supporting our allies, not making it harder for them. Even now Starmer is still trying to sit on the fence, which is a complete failure of leadership.