Guardian UK Politics
Starmer urged to limit US access to UK bases after ‘dangerous’ Trump threats
Senior figures across the Lib Dems, Greens, and Labour's own backbenches are pressing Keir Starmer to restrict American access to British military bases following Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation" would die if Iran defied his ultimatum. Downing Street has so far declined to directly condemn the remarks while maintaining that US forces may only use UK bases for defensive operations. The episode is testing Starmer's ability to maintain the transatlantic relationship without appearing complicit in the most aggressive American posturing toward Tehran.
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Starmer warns ‘lot of work to do’ to make ceasefire permanent at start of talks in Gulf - UK politics live
Keir Starmer has begun diplomatic talks in the Gulf, cautioning that significant work remains to solidify the US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and other regional actors into a lasting arrangement. The visit signals Britain's intent to play an active role in post-ceasefire diplomacy at a critical juncture. How durable the agreement proves will depend heavily on whether regional leaders can align on a broader political framework.
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Alarm in health service over Palantir staff being given NHS email accounts
Palantir engineers working on NHS systems have reportedly been granted NHS.net email accounts, giving them potential access to a staff directory containing details of up to 1.5 million health service employees. The revelation has alarmed NHS staff, who fear sensitive workforce data is being made accessible to a private tech firm with a contested track record on data privacy. The disclosure raises fresh questions about the government's expanding reliance on Palantir to build core NHS infrastructure.
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Keir Starmer arrives in Gulf after US and Iran agree two-week ceasefire
Keir Starmer has touched down in Saudi Arabia as part of a diplomatic push to shore up the newly agreed US-Iran ceasefire. The two-week truce, struck Tuesday evening, has raised immediate questions about its durability, with the strait of Hormuz — a critical global shipping artery — still at issue. Starmer's Gulf talks signal London's intent to play an active role in translating the pause in hostilities into something more permanent.
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Starmer says a lot of work remains to make US-Iran ceasefire hold
Keir Starmer has acknowledged that significant diplomatic effort is still needed to secure a lasting ceasefire between the US and Iran. The prime minister highlighted the economic stakes for Britain, arguing that restoring full access through the Strait of Hormuz would ease pressure on domestic energy and commodity prices. The comments underscore how geopolitical instability in the Gulf continues to have direct consequences for British consumers.
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