Keir Starmer confronts MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions as the UK develops strategies to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. The Prime Minister navigates global tensions sparked by recent conflicts, with the government collaborating with allies to restore the key shipping route that carries 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
Efforts to Secure Strait of Hormuz
Government officials coordinate with international partners to ensure safe passage through the strait. In discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Starmer emphasized ongoing work toward a feasible plan for resuming goods flow.
Naval deployments remain unlikely while Iran deploys missiles and drones to threaten vessels. Iranian officials insist the strait stays accessible to ships from non-hostile nations, provided they coordinate with local authorities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed this position in talks with counterparts and via a letter to the International Maritime Organisation.
Cost of Living Warnings Escalate
Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicates targeted support measures if the conflict intensifies economic pressures. She highlighted the substantial fallout from hostilities that began with US and Israeli missile strikes on Iran on February 28.
Shell CEO Wael Sawan cautioned that Europe risks oil shortages by next month should the strait remain closed.
McSweeney Phone Loss Deemed ‘Cock-Up’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting describes the disappearance of Morgan McSweeney’s phone as a ‘cock-up rather than conspiracy.’ The incident raises fears over lost messages linked to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US, amid scrutiny of his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Downing Street released thousands of documents following MP demands. McSweeney, Starmer’s former chief of staff who left last month, reported the theft in central London last October, preventing review of his exchanges with Mandelson.
Streeting stated: ‘I can totally understand the cynicism in these sorts of cases, but do bear in mind that when his phone was stolen, it was reported to the police at the time. He couldn’t at that stage have known that Parliament would ask for the publication of all messages in the way that they have in quite an unprecedented way.’
He added: ‘Yes, sometimes in politics things can be explained as a result of conspiracy. In other times, more often than not, it is a result of cock-up rather than conspiracy.’
Concerns persist over the lack of backups, contravening guidelines for senior officials to secure messages. Streeting anticipates reinforced protocols for ministers, advisers, and officials to prevent future losses.
