Rishi Sunak’s cabinet was meeting on Thursday evening amid expectations of UK involvement in imminent military strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. Ministers were scheduled to join a video call at 7.45pm, which was expected to discuss the UK response to recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea, including a barrage of rockets, drones and cruise missiles apparently fired at western warships on Tuesday. The foreign secretary, David Cameron, was seen entering No 10 shortly before 8pm. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, and shadow defence secretary, John Healey, will be briefed after the call, it is understood. The prime minister used a conversation with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi earlier on Thursday to discuss the disruption in the Red Sea and emphasise that Britain would continue to “take action to defend freedom of navigation and protect lives”, No 10 said. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, has said further attacks by the Yemeni rebels on international shipping could prompt a western military response. Any UK strikes are expected to involve US forces.
Speaking on Wednesday, Grant Shapps, the British defence secretary, told reporters at a press briefing to “watch this space” regarding British action in the Red Sea, and accused Iran of helping the Houthis with intelligence and surveillance. In a statement released before the briefing, Shapps said: “The UK alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences.” The US, UK and 10 other western countries have made a joint declaration warning the Houthis of consequences in the event of continued attacks against merchant shipping in the southern Red Sea. Shapps said the missile and drone attack had represented an escalation. He said a British destroyer, HMS Diamond, shot down seven Iranian-designed drones and he indicated the vessel had been “potentially” targeted by the Houthis.
Since Tuesday’s incident and the comments by Shapps, Downing Street has faced repeated questions about whether and when the UK might make a response. UK military action is traditionally followed by a statement to parliament. However, the House of Commons finished its business for the week on Thursday afternoon, and if Sunak or Shapps did choose to address MPs, there would be a risk of many not being able to attend. The Liberal Democrats said MPs should be recalled. Layla Moran, the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “If the UK plans to take military action, it’s vital there is a vote in parliament. The prime minister must make arrangements for a recall of parliament if strikes are planned before Monday.” Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, posted on X that Westminster should be recalled. He wrote: “The UK does not have a good record of military intervention in the Middle East. It is therefore incumbent that Westminster is recalled, MPs briefed and allowed to debate and scrutinise any decision to pursue military action that the UK government is proposing.” The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, also said MPs should be recalled, calling the situation in the Red Sea “complex and serious”.