Starmer right to block arms sales to Israel, says Jewish peer

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Lord Carlile has supported Starmer’s action He has claimed that former foreign secretary Lord Cameron received the same legal advice as that acted upon by foreign secretary David Lammy last week but chose not to act on it. open image in gallery David Cameron was accused of failing to act on legal advice The leading barrister described the prime minister as “one of the most able analytical lawyers of his generation” and said that former prime ministers such as Mr Johnson “should have known better” before making “wildly disproportionate” criticism of the decision. It is insidious that democracy, brought about by parliamentarians doing exactly what legal advice dictates, should be hijacked by populist sloganeering – especially when that comes from former prime ministers like Boris Johnson, who should know better.” But his harshest criticism as a prominent British Jew is for the Israeli prime minister who he accuses of trying to undermine efforts to end the conflict. “Netanyahu and Hamas leaders alike have repeatedly undermined attempts at mediation determinedly and diligently pursued by Qatar, whose emir and prime minister merit international praise.” A source close to Lord Cameron denied that he had not followed legal advice as foreign secretary.