Cameron and Starmer questioned on future of UK military action in Yemen

1. In the week the UK joined the US in striking Houthi positions in Yemen, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speak to the BBC
2. Lord Cameron tells Laura Kuenssberg that the strikes in Yemen show that the UK and allies are "prepared to take action backing their words"
3. The strikes follow Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea
4. Cameron says the Houthis were given "warning after warning", and that it would not have been right to have a debate in Parliament before strikes
5. Starmer says he supported the strikes. On the question of further strikes, he says he would consider whether to support them "on its merits"
6. On the direction of the Labour party, Starmer says he has "ruthlessly changed" it so that it can credibly contend the election later this year
7. Watch the Kuenssberg show live on BBC One and iPlayer from 09:00 GMT, or stream it here - where there'll be text updates, clips, and analysis

It's goodbye from them - and goodbye from us

BBC

It was another busy morning on this week's edition of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

A lot was covered, with David Cameron and Keir Starmer facing questions on military action in Yemen, reported deaths in the Channel and much more.

You can read our story here on the foreign secretary's comments on Yemen - and scroll through clips at the top of the page.

This page was brought to you by Owen Amos, Ali Abbas Ahmadi and Emily Atkinson.

Thanks for joining us.

'Did you just say the great Rolls Royce is back?'

At the end of the show, Laura Kuenssberg discussed David Cameron and Keir Starmer with her panel - actor Alan Cumming, journalist Isabel Oakeshott, and editor Geordie Greig.

Guests discuss return of David Cameron to political fray

What did Starmer say about military action in 2020?

As we reported earlier, Keir Starmer backs the UK's recent attacks on Houthi sites in Yemen, which were taken without a vote in Parliament.

In 2020 - when running for Labour leader - he pledged a "Prevention of Military Intervention Act", saying he would he would "pass legislation" to say "military action" could only be taken if a lawful case was made, there was a viable objective, and there was consent from Parliament.

This morning, he insisted there was "no inconsistency" with that pledge and his support for Thursday's strikes in Yemen.

"There is obviously a huge distinction between an operation, the like of which we have seen in the last few days, and military action, a sustained campaign, military action usually involving troops on the ground," he said.

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The location of US and UK-led strike in Yemen this week

A busy morning on the Laura Kuenssberg show...

BBC

David Cameron

• The action against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen sent a "very clear message" that the UK, US, and allies are "prepared to take action backing their words"
• The foreign secretary revealed he spoke to Iran's foreign minister, calling the actions of the Houthis and other Iranian-backed groups "unacceptable, illegal, dangerous"
• On Donald Trump's possible return to the White House, Cameron said the UK had to work with "whoever the United States chooses as its president"
• Later, Cameron said the reported deaths of four people in the Channel showed "we've got to stop the boats"
• He also denied being paid £10m by Greensill Capital after leaving Downing Street - but declined to give the exact figure

Keir Starmer

• The Channel deaths came first for Starmer. He said Labour would "stop the boats" by going after the criminal gangs, calling the Rwanda policy a "gimmick"
• On Yemen, the Labour leader said he supported the UK's strikes and would consider further action "on merit"
• Grilled over previous comments he made that Parliament should vote before UK military action, Starmer said there was a difference between the Yemen strikes and "sustained military action"
• Pressed on Labour's policy on selling arms to Saudi Arabia - and other changes to Labour policy since 2020 - Starmer said the Labour Party had "ruthlessly changed", and that change was backed by members
• Later, Starmer called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza - involving an immediate truce, and the release of hostages
• He also defended taking a private flight from the Qatari government - saying the Emir of Qatar "desperately" wanted to hold a meeting in Doha, after they met in nearby Dubai

As a reminder, you can watch clips from the show at the top of the page

Recap coming...

The show has finished - we'll bring you a recap of the main lines shortly.

In the meantime, here's Keir Starmer explaining Labour's position on the UK's strikes in Yemen.

Starmer backs strikes to stop Houthi attacks

Why did Starmer accept a private jet ride from Qatar?

Keir Starmer's office

Laura questions why Starmer accepted a private flight from the Qatari government, when his party has previously criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's use of private jets.

Starmer replies that he was at COP28 in the UAE where he met the Emir of Qatar.

The emir "desperately wanted [a] meeting with me" to discuss the situation in Gaza, Starmer says, but the emir was required to return home.

So he offered to fly me to Doha to have the meeting, the Labour leader says.

"I wanted to take that opportunity to have that one-to-one discussion with the emir and I stand by that," he says.

Starmer: First of all, we need a truce in Gaza

We turn now to the Israel-Gaza war.

Stamer says both the "sheer number of deaths" in Gaza and that Israeli hostages are still being held is "intolerable".

"We need a sustainable ceasefire," he says - adding that the question is how we get there.

Starmer says a "humanitarian truce" is needed, and hostages released, which would in turn "provide space for the dialogue needed".

He adds that humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter Gaza in "greater volume" and that displaced Palestinians must be "allowed to go home".

Pressed on whether he would call for a ceasefire without caveat, like Emmanuel Macron, he repeats his call for an immediate truce, more aid, the release of hostages, and displaced people coming home with "no question of Israeli occupation".

Starmer pressed on changing policy: 'We have ruthlessly changed'

BBC

Laura now presses the Labour leader on arms sales - saying he seems to have changed his stance on whether a Labour government would sell weapons to Saudi Arabia.

It's part of a wider pattern, Laura suggests - there are contradictions between the Keir Starmer of 2024 and the Keir Starmer who was elected Labour leader in 2020.

The Labour leader says the party is different now - adding that Labour members are "predominantly, overwhelmingly" behind "what we've done to change the party".

Four years ago we were picking ourselves up from a "terrible" election result, Starmer adds, and some believed it would take a decade for Labour to take power again.

"We have ruthlessly changed the Labour Party," Starmer says, in order to put it in a position where it can credibly contend the election later this year.

What happened to Starmer's pledge of a parliamentary vote before military action?

Starmer is asked now about previous comments he made to the BBC that Parliament should vote before any UK military action.

"There's no inconsistency here," the Labour leader insists - saying there's a difference between this week's action on the Houthis and "sustained military action".

"There will always be urgent situations where Parliament can't be consulted beforehand," he says.

He says he stands by the principle of debate before "boots on the ground".

Would Labour back further strikes in Yemen?

Watch: Starmer backs strikes to stop Houthi attacks

Starmer is now asked about the UK's attacks against the Houthis in Yemen.

He says Labour backs the military operation so far - but will need to consider the arguments if the UK plans further attacks there.

"If there is to be further action, I would expect [to be briefed], I would expect the prime minister to make a statement, and we will consider it on its merits."

He says the strikes so far are clearly designed to stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Laura presses him, saying this is not the view in much of the Middle East - and that instead, the view there is that action in Yemen is part of the West's wider strategy in the Middle East.

Starmer says that argument is "hard to sustain". He says the alternative would be to do nothing to protect shipping.

"Action had to be taken, I was pleased to be briefed about it," he says.

Keir Starmer now speaking

BBC

Up next: Labour leader Keir Starmer. Laura starts with a question on today's reported Channel deaths.

Starmer says his "first reaction is a human reaction. This is tragic loss of life".

He agrees with David Cameron that "we need to stop these channel crossings", but to "stop the boats", he says a Labour government would go after the criminal gangs.

Labout does not back the government's Rwanda plan, which is currently stalled in the courts - and Starmer tells Laura the policy is a "gimmick".

How much did Greensill pay Cameron?

Watch: Cameron pressed on Greensill pay

Laura now grills the foreign secretary about Greensill Capital - a financial firm Cameron worked for after leaving Downing Street.

You have never said how much money you received - is it true you were paid about £10m, Laura asks.

"No that isn't true," replies Cameron - but he declines to reveal how much he actually made.

You've never said how much you were paid, presses Laura.

Cameron says he was a private citizen at the time - and has resigned every outside job since returning to politics.

Channel deaths mean we have to stop the boats - Cameron

Laura turns now to the reported deaths of four people in the Channel this morning.

"It's heart breaking when these things happen," Cameron says.

He says it shows "we've got to stop the boats" - and bust the model of people smugglers.

He says that while the Rwanda migrant plans "may be unorthadox or unusual", they will help "collapse" the trade.

Cameron: We'll work as normal with the US if Trump wins

Reuters

The foreign secretary is now asked about US election frontrunner Donald Trump - and Laura brings up some previous unflattering comments from Cameron.

The foreign secretary says the UK has to work with "whoever the United States chooses as its president", adding that he had a very good relationship with Trump's predecessor as president, Barack Obama.

Cameron adds that "you can have disagreements" - but that we have to make that relationship work, saying it is "vital" in keeping the UK safe.

Do the UK's attacks in Yemen risk Middle East escalation?

Watch: Cameron says Houthis are escalating tensions in Middle East

Laura asks whether the UK attacking Houthi sites in Yemen risks a military escalation in the region - and in the wider world.

Cameron says the Houthis are responsible for escalation - and that their attacks on commercial vessels left the UK and its allies with little choice but to act.

He adds that the "red lights are flashing" on the global dashboard.

Cameron speaks to Iran's foreign minister

The Houthis in Yemen are backed by Iran - and Cameron reveals he had a recent call with Iran's foreign minister.

Cameron says he told him the action of Iranian-backed groups across the Middle East, including Yemen's Houthis, was "unacceptable, illegal, dangerous".

He says Iran is "playing a very malign role and it's absolutely right to call this out".

Why didn't Parliament vote before the UK took action in Yemen?

Laura questions why military action was taken before Parliament was consulted.

Cameron says that it was necessary to take quick action for reasons of operational security.

He says "he doesn't think it would have been right" to have a debate in Parliament before the strikes - but does say there will be a statement in the Commons tomorrow.

We're sending a clear message - Cameron

Laura continues to press Cameron on this week's military action in Yemen.

He says the strikes send a "very clear message" that the US, UK and other Western nations "are prepared to take action backing their words".

Laura asks if this is "without limit".

Cameron says the UK is "careful" - and has a "meticulous" prime minister.

BreakingCameron: We gave Houthis warning after warning

Lord Cameron is now speaking - and he's asked about the UK's actions in Yemen.

He says the UK gave the Houthis "warning after warning" before deciding that action was necessary.

Cameron's tip for the leader of the oppositon? 'Have a plan'

BBC

We open with a short exchange between Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former prime minister Lord Cameron.

Laura puts it to Starmer that the role of Leader of the Opposition is often described as the "worst" job in British politcs.

She asks Cameron, who held the role before he became prime minister in 2010, if he has any tips for Starmer.

"Have a plan," he replies.