Afternoon summary
A Reform UK proposal to prioritise places that vote for Green councils or MPs when it sets up detention centres for migrants facing deportation has been denounced as “abhorrent” from opponents across the political spectrum. (See 10.48am.)
For a full list of all the stories covered on the blog today, do scroll through the list of key event headlines near the top of the blog.
Starmer says European countries giving 'lot of attention' to plan for 'reassurance presence' in strait of Hormuz
Keir Starmer has said European countries are giving “a lot of attention” to proposals for a “reassurance presence” that could help to keep the strait of Hormuz open after the conflict between the US and Iran is over.
There have been several high-level meetings, involving mostly European countries, about the proposal, which is being pushed in particular by the UK and France. But little in public has been said about what kind of deployment this might entail.
Starmer said today it would be a “reassurance presence”.
Speaking to GB News, he said:
The situation is clearly evolving. It is really important that we get the strait of Hormuz open because that is directly impacting on our economy in the United Kingdom.
That’s why in recent months, we pulled together a group of countries to have a reassurance presence, including a military presence, as soon as it’s safe to get vessels through.
Now we’ve discussed that on a number of occasions with a coalition. We’re discussing that at the European political community summit here this afternoon. A lot of attention on this, because it’s having such an impact back in the United Kingdom.
