'He's done NOTHING!' Zia Yusuf accuses Keir Starmer of 'disgracing Britain' in brutal slapdown amid Iran war

Since the US and Israeli launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, the Islamic Republic catapulted retaliatory rockets across the region, with Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE being targeted.

Once Tehran targeted an RAF base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, the UK ramped up its defence operations in a bid to protect its land - but Sir Keir is still not immune to criticism back on British soil.

On Sunday, the base was hit by a drone attack, causing "minimal damage".

On the People's Channel, Mr Yusuf said: "Keir Starmer has found yet another way, frankly, to disgrace himself and the country. So British sovereign territory has now been attacked.

"That's not speculation or subjective. That is clear. It's objective. It has happened. What has the Prime Minister's response been?

"It's basically been nothing. He took three days after the conflict began to commit to sending a warship to Cyprus, which is where the RAF base is.

"It is an absolute disgrace.

"Once the British sovereign territory has been attacked, it is inexcusable for the Prime Minister to put this country in the position where we've effectively declared that you can attack British sovereign territory and there will effectively be no response.

"The first priority of a Prime Minister of this country is to keep British people safe. And I don't think British people feel safe right now," he added.

The UK Government said it will deploy HMS Dragon, a type 45 Destroyer, to the eastern Mediterranean to defend the base, joined by two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters which are due to arrive before the warship.

But fury erupted after it was revealed the vessel would not set sail until next week, currently docked in Portsmouth while it is loaded with ammunition.

The revelation has called into question Britain's defence capabilities. With the Royal Navy owning six Destroyers, three are at differing degrees of preparedness for war - with three others in maintenance.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defence boasted HMS Dragon was "one of the most capable air defence warships in the world".

The vessel is said to be able to launch eight missiles in less than 10 seconds, crewed by more than 200 sailors.

Asked how Mr Yusuf's leader Nigel Farage would handle the situation, the Reform bigwig said he would "act in Britain's best interests".

Today, the Prime Minister defended not participating in the initial strikes on Iran and vowed his priority was to "protect our people".

During his statement this afternoon, Sir Keir confirmed a Government-chartered flight from Oman to Britain has now taken off after it was delayed overnight.

Sir Keir said: "The long-standing British position is that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement with Iran where they give up their nuclear ambitions.

"Now that’s why I took the decision that the UK would not join the initial strikes on Iran by the US and Israel. That decision was deliberate, it was in the national interest, and I stand by it."

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