Starmer suggests Labour might disclose legal advice on UK arms sales to Israel

Asked on Monday whether he believes there is a moral case to stop UK arms sales to Israel, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested, if elected, he might disclose the legal advice guiding government decision-making on the matter.

“On the question of the arms sales, It is for the government obviously to review the licences. They do it one by one. They have got legal advice,” he said, speaking at a campaign event.

“We have been questioning them to disclose that legal advice and I still press them to disclose that legal advice. Obviously, if we are privileged to come into power, we’ll be able to see that advice or commission our own.”

Starmer, however, did not say what he would do regarding sales once he was privy to the advice, commenting only that his number one priority in Gaza was a ceasefire.

MPs have pressed the government for months to release Foreign Office assessments of Israel’s intent and capability to follow international humanitarian law in Gaza. 

The government had so far refused to release the advice before parliament was dissolved, however some of the advice had been made public as the result of a legal challenge to the sales in the High Court.

Under its own arms exporting criteria, the government is obligated to suspend licences for arms exports if it determines that there is a clear risk that British weapons might be used in such violations.