Middle East

Debate between Lord Faulks and Baroness Smith of Basildon

Monday 2nd March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Faulks (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, the Leader referred to a “clear legal mandate” that would be needed by our troops if they were to act in the defensive way in which the Government have said that they may be able to do. I looked at the summary of the Government’s legal advice, which was rather restricted to

“acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an ongoing armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate”.

Does the Leader think that that is a “clear legal mandate” that can be given by officers to troops whom we ask to go into dangerous situations?

[Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)]

My Lords, that is a summary of the UK’s legal position. The Prime Minister will have looked at all the legal advice that he received. The noble Lord knows that we do not publish all the legal advice, but the information that the Prime Minister had will have given him confidence that there was a clear legal mandate for us to make the decision that we have to support America and Israel in their defensive role of protecting British citizens and safety in the region.