Lib Dems demand Government publish legal advice relating to deployment of UK military in the Strait of Hormuz

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have today written to the Attorney General to call for him to publish the full legal advice he shares with the Government concerning the possible deployment of UK armed forces in the Strait of Hormuz.

This comes as the Times reports that the Government is seeking legal advice on the possible use of UK naval assets to conduct ‘defensive’ operations within the Strait - despite fears that using British military assets while the conflict continues, even if for so-called ‘defensive’ operations, threatens to draw the UK into Trump’s reckless war.

The Liberal Democrats have also called for a vote in Parliament before any UK military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. It is vital that MPs see any legal advice ahead of that vote.

Before being elected Labour leader, Keir Starmer expressed support for giving Parliament a vote on military action, and since his election has stood by his earlier comments. In 2024, he stated that parliamentary approval for deploying troops was “a principle that I want to see entrenched”.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Attorney General Spokesperson Ben Maguire MP, said:

“There is no military solution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Keir Starmer must not allow Britain to be dragged down a slippery slope into a reckless and illegal conflict. 

"The Attorney General must publish the legal basis for any proposed UK deployments to the Strait of Hormuz. It would be an utter dereliction of duty for the Government to leave the public in the dark on such a profound issue. The Iraq war should be a lesson to this Government that holding back important information is completely the wrong approach.

“Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to prioritise diplomatic de-escalation over military involvement - the Prime Minister must now be true to his word and allow MPs a vote before any personnel are deployed.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Times’ reporting of the Government seeking legal advice on the possible use of UK naval assets can be found here.

Details of Keir Starmer’s previous support for giving Parliament a vote on military action can be found here (p7).

Full text of letter can be found below:

Dear Attorney General,

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has generated a global energy crisis.

British taxpayers are now having to foot the growing bill for Trump’s and Netanyahu’s illegal war - supported uncritically by Reform and the Conservatives - and the reckless response of the Iranian regime.

The Government’s priority, working with our international partners, must be on de-escalating this increasingly bloody and widespread conflict. There is no military solution which would effectively reopen the Strait, which continues to face missile strikes and underwater mining by the Iranian regime. Only diplomatic measures can secure a permanent reopening.

Reporting from the Times, however, suggests that the Government is now seeking legal advice on the possible use of UK naval assets to conduct ‘defensive’ operations within the Strait.

While we recognise the utmost importance of reopening the Strait, using British assets while the conflict still rages threatens to draw the UK into Trump’s reckless war.

We cannot allow Britain to be dragged down a slippery slope to conflict, nor to be bullied into involvement by a US President who is in over his head. 

On issues relating to the deployment of our Armed Forces, transparency is also vital. The British people deserve to know the legal basis for action which might put UK service personnel in harm’s war - particularly in this case of Donald Trump’s war of choice. We would expect - as the Prime Minister has promised - there to be a vote in Parliament before UK personnel are deployed to a conflict situation.

Will you therefore commit to publishing the legal advice you provide to the Government on the possible use of UK military assets in the Strait of Hormuz while American-Israeli-Iranian hostilities continue - and before a vote on the possible deployment of UK personnel?

We look forward to hearing from you promptly.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Maguire MP, Liberal Democrat Attorney General Spokesperson 

Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson