'I don't agree with Diane Abbott' Tory MP DEMOLISHES Labour frontbencher's Syria response
A CONSERVATIVE MP has ripped into Diane Abbott’s response to how the UK should handle the Syria crisis and whether Britain should back military intervention after President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged chemical weapons attack.
Tory MP says he doesn’t agree with Abbott over Syria response
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, told BBC’s Today programme she wanted a UN investigation into the alleged chemical weapon attack in the Syrian city of Douma over the weekend.
Ms Abbott also claimed the UK should not engage in any bombing missions in Syria until an "independent investigation" could be conducted.
Speaking on BBC News, Conservative MP Chris Philp criticised Ms Abbott’s comments.
He said: “I don’t agree with the things Diane Abbott has been saying today. I don’t agree with her insistence on a UN Sanctioned investigation because the Russians would simply veto it as they have done six times in the recent past.
“I don’t agree with Diane Abbott’s contention that the only circumstances that she can think of where military force is justified is the Second World War.
“I do think there is a strong case on humanitarian grounds to protect women and children in Syria from being an attack from chemical weapons.
“On your last point, on a parliamentary vote, I would be comfortable with the Prime Minister taking action before Parliament debates the topic.”
Mr Philp also explained why there should not be a parliamentary vote over military intervention alongside the US and France.
He said: “Until 2003 military action was taken without parliamentary votes… If events on the ground are moving very quickly either militarily or diplomatically, there may simply not be time to have a debate and have a vote.
Radio 4 host grills Diane Abbott on Labour's position on Syria
I don’t agree with the things Diane Abbott has been saying today
“Secondly if the decision depends on intelligence, that is confidential, it is very difficult for it to be aired publicly in Parliament.”
Speaking on the Today programme, Ms Abbott said: “The use of chemical weapons is horrific. But first of all, we need to get the evidence.
"That's why we're calling for an independent, UN-led investigation of the horrific chemical weapons attacks."
The UK is considering military intervention in Syria and Cabinet ministers have agreed “on the need to take action” in Syria to “deter the further use of chemical weapons”, Downing Street has said.
It comes after Donald Trump warned action would follow the attack from Russia backed Assad.
Russia's ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said any US missiles fired at Syria would be shot down and the launch sites targeted.
Mr Trump responded on Twitter: "Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
Mr Trump later played down war talk. He said: “Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron said: “We have proof that last week chemical weapons, at least chlorine, were used by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. We will need to take decisions in due course, when we judge it most useful and effective.”
Theresa May spent nearly two-and-a-half hours discussing the UK’s response to the suspected chemical weapon attack at Douma in Eastern Ghouta at the weekend.