Keir Starmer to address the nation over Middle East war as EU countries join the defence of Cyprus

It comes as Sir Keir and the Labour government have been slammed for their lackluster response to the conflict after the British base in Cyprus, RAf Akrotiri, was struck by Iranian drones.

Defence Secretary John Healey met his counterpart Vasilis Palmas today “to discuss how the UK is further reinforcing our air defences to support our shared security”, Sir Keir’s spokesman told reporters.

The spokesman rejected accusations the Government failed to have enough military assets in the Middle East after RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone.

Cyprus’s high commissioner to the UK said a British military presence to defend the island was “the least we expect” in a criticism of the UK’s approach to managing the conflict.

Overnight on Monday, a hangar at RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian-made Shahed drone, which was launched from Beirut in Lebanon, according to Cypriot officials.

Two further drones detected on Monday were shot down by British warplanes, which took off from Akrotiri.

Britain has deployed air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to help protect Cyprus, but the Type 45 warship is not expected to sail until next week.

Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities have also been dispatched to the island and are expected to arrive there sooner.

It was put to Sir Keir’s spokesman that, with the HMS Dragon still being readied to sail to the Mediterranean next week, the UK was not fully prepared.

The official responded: “I don’t accept that. I think the fact is operational questions, operational decision-making is always kept under review.

“Our defensive capabilities have been deployed since January. That includes air defence, radar systems and F-35 jets in Cyprus and Typhoons in Qatar".

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch critcised the Prime Minister's response to the crisis, and said: “Once our bases had been attacked, I think we became part of this, whether we liked it or not.

“I don’t want to see an escalation. But I think it is very important that where we have put bases in other people’s countries and they are being attacked, we do what we can to stop those attacks from taking place".

During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, she accused Sir Keir of "catching arrows instead of stopping the archer", and that more needed to be done to assist allies in the region.

The Prime Minister told the Commons on Wednesday that the evacuation on British nationals was the top priority for the Labour Government, looking out for British interests.

Home Office minister Alex Norris had earlier said another repatriation flight, the first from Oman to Britain, remained grounded.

Problems with “getting passengers on board” prevented the Government-chartered plane from taking off from Muscat, the minister said.

The plane was expected to leave Oman at noon UK time on Thursday.

Mr Norris insisted the Government was taking the war “exceptionally seriously” following the criticism.