Syria crisis: Labour deals blow to Cameron's hopes for Commons support

Labour calls for UN involvement as prime minister speaks to Obama to discuss military action

David Cameron’s hopes of gaining widespread Commons support for the impending military strike against Syria suffered a blow on Wednesday when Labour demanded the involvement of the United Nations.

The news came as Downing Street confirmed that Cameron spoke to the US president, Barack Obama, on Tuesday night, before a meeting of Britain’s National Security Council (NSC) where defence chiefs will outline a series of arms-length options for targeted attacks against Syria.

Although Downing Street insisted Cameron and Obama had not yet agreed on the “specific nature” of their response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria, it is understood that they are planning limited missile attacks before the end of the week.

Cameron has recalled parliament to allow MPs to vote on the matter on Thursday and on Tuesday afternoon, after Ed Miliband met Cameron to discuss the matter, Labour indicated that it would be willing to support the government provided military action was legal and proportionate.

But on Wednesday morning Labour said it was making its support for the government dependent on new conditions.

A party spokesman said: “We have made it clear that we want to see a clear legal basis for any action. As part of the legal justification, Labour is seeking the direct involvement of the United Nations through the evidence of the weapons inspectors and consideration by the security council.”

This raises the possibility that Labour may refuse to back the government’s motion on Thursday, perhaps voting for its own motion instead, although the party said it would not take a decision until the text of the government’s motion was available later on Wednesday.

The British and American governments have until now dismissed suggestions that military action should be delayed until the UN weapons inspectors in Damascus have reported, arguing that it is already obvious that chemical weapons were used and that the inspectors’ report will not say which side was responsible for their deployment. London and Washington have also shown little enthusiasm for taking the matter to the UN security council, where Russia and China have previously opposed anti-Syrian initiatives.

In a speech on Tuesday Joe Biden, the US vice-president, said there was “no doubt” that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons. He said: “Those who use chemical weapons against defenceless men, women, and children … must be held accountable.”

Following Cameron’s conversation with Obama overnight Downing Street said that “both leaders agreed that all the information available confirmed a chemical weapons attack had taken place, noting that even the Iranian president and Syrian regime had conceded this”.

A No 10 spokesman went on: “They both agreed they were in no doubt that the Assad regime was responsible. Regime forces were carrying out a military operation to regain that area from the opposition at the time, and there is no evidence that the opposition has the capability to deliver such a chemical weapons attack.

“The PM confirmed that the government had not yet taken a decision …read more