Exclusive

Suspending arms sales to Israel weakened UK's 'hand' in Washington, ex-armed forces minister says

2 October 2024, 09:46 | Updated: 2 October 2024, 09:47

Watch Again: Nick Ferrari speaks to James Heappey | 02/10/24

By Katy Ronkin

James Heappey said the government's decision to partially suspend arms sales to Israel was a "big mistake" that will weaken UK influence in Washington.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast the ex-armed forces minister said: "I did think that was a real mistake and will have weakened our hand in Washington".

"Israel was obviously going to be annoyed, but I think to pull the rug from under Biden when he is under similar pressure from the left in the US was a mistake"

The UK suspended around 30 export licenses for arms and military equipment out of a total of 350 in September.

Read more: Israeli military warns people to evacuate another 24 villages in south Lebanon

Read more: Trump and Zelensky meet amid rising questions about US support for Ukraine

James Heappey 'concurs' that the UK's partial arms suspension 'undermined' Israel

He also said the suspension weakens the UK's influence in Washington and could affect negotiations over using "US-donated systems" in Russia.

"I also think that It bleeds across into US reluctance over being able to target US donated systems into Russian soil," he added.

"The fact that we have pulled the rug from under them on Israeli licensing weakens our position in trying to influence in Washington to get the other key thing we need at the moment."

James Heappey said the suspension weakens the UK&squot;s influence in Washington and could affect negotiations over using "US-donated systems" in Russia.
James Heappey said the suspension weakens the UK's influence in Washington and could affect negotiations over using "US-donated systems" in Russia. Picture: Alamy

Speaking to LBC’s Ben Kentish in September, Mr Lammy rejected claims the United States had been left "unhappy" by his decision.

He said: "I have spoken to Tony Blinken (US Secretary of State) about this matter. I don't recognise at all what is being said. What the Americans have said, and I've said this on the record, is that they totally respect and understand our legal regime here.

"They have a different legal regime and they make their own determinations, but they respect and understand ours and they know that this was a quasi-legal process and they've known that for months."

LBC Exclusive: David Lammy discusses his partial suspension of arms sales to Israel

The US and UK have so far declined to grant Kyiv permission to use the missiles they have supplied to strike targets within Russia, despite repeated appeals from Mr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president has expressed frustration, stating that his forces are fighting with their “hands tied” due to their inability to target Russian airfields and military installations, which President Vladimir Putin is using to launch deadly air raids, missile strikes, and drone attacks.

This comes as Vladimir Putin recently announced a change in Russia's nuclear doctrine, that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called a "warning signal to those countries about the consequences in case of their involvement in an attack on our country with various assets, not necessarily nuclear ones".

In September Putin said that an attack on Russia that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

This is likely to be interpreted as an attempt at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The 56-year-old was arrested and charged with attempted burglary.

Burglar jailed after falling for 'Home Alone' style trap

Raducanu was seen wiping away her tears

Emma Raducanu breaks silence after 'fixated man' who followed her to game brings tennis star to tears

Donald Trump has branded Zelenskyy a "dictator."

Trump labels Zelenskyy a ‘dictator,' says he owes US billions and only wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going

Eating cheese

Eating cheese and having an open fire are factors to living a long life, study shows

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said thousands of troops have crossed the Kursk border into Ukrainian territory.

Thousands of troops storm into Ukraine in fresh attack, Russia claims as Putin insists he’s ready for talks with Zelesnkyy

'Zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham.

Police chief slams sale of knives for £10 in online ‘mystery boxes’

Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Chinese tourist village slammed for using fake snow to draw in visitors

Former Chief Whip Simon Hart has revealed details of a call from a Tory MP who asked to be saved from a brothel.

Former Chief Whip shares desperate call from Tory MP who 'needed saving from brothel with KGB agent and CCTV'

Tesco app and website.

Tesco app and website reporting issues, leaving customers unable to do online shopping

Exclusive
A graphic depiction of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, the two documentary makers behind the project are now facing criticism over the children featured.

BBC has 'serious questions to answer' over claims Gaza documentary features Hamas leader's son, says Jon Sopel

Charlotte Peet has gone missing in Brazil.

Father of Brit journalist missing in Brazil breaks silence as he reveals moment daughter's 'trail went cold'

Avoriaz is a French mountain resort

Brit skier, 23, found dead beneath French Alps cliff after 'plunging 260ft on return from night out'

Austrian police arrest teenager over 'attack at railway station'

Isis supporting boy, 14, 'who planned attack at railway station' held by Austrian police

Janice Nix is charged with manslaughter over the death of five-year-old Andrea Bernard in 1978

Woman, 66, appears in court charged with manslaughter of five-year-old who died after scalding bath

Davi Nunes Moreira, of Planalto, Brazil, passed away seven days after injecting a solution made from a crushed butterfly into his leg.

Boy who injected himself with crushed butterfly for 'online challenge' suffered week of agonising symptoms before death

Jack Bennett pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications to the mayor of London and the Birmingham Yardley MP

Man jailed for sending malicious messages to Sir Sadiq Khan and Jess Phillips was 'radicalised online,' Mayor tells LBC