Jeremy Corbyn calls for MPs to get vote on UK military action in Syria

Labour leader warns of 'escalation' of situation amid speculation about Western air strikes against regime

Jeremy Corbyn has demanded MPs be given a vote on potential UK military action against Syria amid suggestions Theresa May could join forces with Donald Trump to launch a joint strike.

The Labour leader said parliament must be consulted over any decision to launch British air strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

He also called on the government to help "get every country, including the US and Russia, as well as the neighbouring states, around the table in Geneva to bring about a political solution".

It comes amid mounting speculation over potential UK support for US air strikes against the Syrian government, which is accused of using chemical weapons against its own civilians in the town of Douma.

Ms May warned on Wednesday that the "continued use of chemical weapons cannot go unchallenged" and vowed to work closely with the UK's allies to orchestrate a response.

Donald Trump has promised a "forceful" reaction and said he would make "major decisions" this week, while France's Emmanuel Macron is also said to be ready to act.

However, Mr Corbyn warned against action that could lead to a "hot war between Russia and America over the skies of Syria".

Asked during a visit to Plymouth about the possibility of MPs voting on the issue of military strikes, Mr Corbyn told the BBC: "Parliament should always be given a say on military action. That’s a case that I’ve made going back many, many years in parliament.

"Obviously the situation is very serious. Obviously there has to be, now, a demand for a political process to end the war in Syria. We cannot risk an escalation even further than it’s gone already."

While describing the attack on Douma as "terrible", Mr Corbyn warned: "What we don’t want is bombardment which leads to escalation and leads to a hot war between Russia and America over the skies of Syria.

"So what I’m saying is listen to what the UN says, listen to what the UN general secretary says, undertake the inquiry into the source and usage of the chemical weapons but, above all, get every country including the US and Russia, as well as the neighbouring states, around the table in Geneva to being about a political solution.

"We cannot go on with hundreds of thousands dying and millions going into refugee status."

Asked about the prospect of recalling Parliament during a visit to Birmingham on Wednesday, Ms May sidestepped the question, saying only that Britain would work with its “closest ally to see how those responsible can be held to account” for the Douma attack, which is said to have killed between 40 and 70 people and left some 500 needing treatment.

The prime minister said she was “appalled” but “not surprised” by Russia’s decision to veto a draft UN resolution seeking to determine responsibility for the attack, adding: “There can be no role now for investigations by the United Nations.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump tweeted that Russia should “get ready” for missiles to be fired at Syria, and that they would be “nice and new and ‘smart!’”.