Boris Johnson: Britain would join US military action against Syria

Ready to intervene: Boris Johnson
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Britain would agree to a request from Donald Trump to join military action against the Syrian regime, Boris Johnson revealed today.

The Foreign Secretary also said the Government would be prepared to act without waiting for a vote in the House of Commons if Bashar alAssad’s forces used illegal chemical weapons.

“I think it will be very difficult if the United States has a proposal to have some sort of action in response to a chemical weapons attack,” he said on BBC radio.

“And if they come to us and ask for our support, whether it’s with submarine-based cruise missiles in the (Mediterranean), or whatever... it would be in my view, and I know this is also the view of the Prime Minister, it would be very difficult for us to say no.”

Asked if MPs would have to approve such action, Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4: “I think that needs to be tested.”

America launched cruise missiles against a Syrian air base three weeks ago after evidence that Assad’s regime killed scores of people in a sarin-type gas attack on a rebel-held area in Idlib province.

Britain is carrying out air strikes against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Syria and Iraq but has not attacked the Assad regime since David Cameron lost a Commons vote in 2015.

Mr Johnson was markedly less warlike over the stand-off with North Korea. He appealed for “calm, clear heads” and said military action against Pyongyang was “not the way forward”.

He was travelling this afternoon to the United Nations in New York for talks on the nuclear crisis.

President Trump is attempting to ramp up pressure on the regime of despot Kim Jong Un by deploying an anti-missile system and US troops in military exercises.

The chief of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, told Congress: “All options are on the table. We want to bring Kim Jong Un to his senses, not to his knees.”

Mr Johnson said military action could result in “huge and hideous reprisals” against South Korea and believed it was not “likely”. He urged economic pressure instead.

“I think the military options are not good,” he said. “The best way forward ... is to keep a calm, clear head and to work particularly with Beijing to try to bring pressure on Pyongyang.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Britons they are deluding themselves about hanging on to EU perks after Brexit.

Striking a firm tone in a speech to the Bundestag she said: “I must say this clearly here because I get the feeling that some people in Britain still have illusions - that would be wasted time.” She was loudly applauded.

She also warned that there could be no deal on a future relationship until “questions about its exit have been cleared up” including a financial agreement.

Mr Johnson insisted Britain will not pay any divorce bill before “substantive” negotiations on future relations begin. EU leaders want the UK to agree to a £50 billion exit bill.

He was challenged repeatedly during a round of media interviews about the Leave campaign claim that Britain can spend £350 million a week on the NHS after Brexit. The Foreign Secretary said parliament would have “control” over the money, but tacitly admitted it would not all go on health.

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