SNP accuse Theresa May of 'gesture bombing' over Syria military action
5 min read
The SNP has accused Theresa May of "gesture bombing" after she authorised military action against Syria.
The Prime insisted she had "no practicable alternative" other than to order strikes on the Assad regime's chemical weapons capabilities following last week's attack on Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed in the suspected chemical weapons attack on the rebel-held city.
Four RAF Tornados joined fighter jets from America and France in hitting targets controlled by the Assad regime.
Mrs May said: "This persistent pattern of behaviour must be stopped – not just to protect innocent people in Syria from the horrific deaths and casualties caused by chemical weapons but also because we cannot allow the erosion of the international norm that prevents the use of these weapons."
But in a series of tweets, SNP defence spokesperson Stewart McDonald condemned the move, and the fact that MPs were not given the chance to vote on whether military action should take place.
He said: "The PM has engaged UK forces in gesture bombing, with no major international consensus and no long term plan to halt the use of chemical weapons or deliver peace. Most worrying, is that she has acted at the behest of presidential tweets and sidelined parliament.
"The government has made no effort to explain to the public what it is that UK forces are really engaging in, beyond a statement of seven short sentences and this 4 minute video. No debate in Parliament about the action or its potential consequences. No accountability."
Mr McDonald was backed by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Ian Blackford, the SNP's leader at Westminster.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson supported the Prime Minister's decision.
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg also backed the military action. He said: "I support the actions taken by the United States, the United Kingdom and France against the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons facilities and capabilities. This will reduce the regime’s ability to further attack the people of Syria with chemical weapons.
"Nato has consistently condemned Syria's continued use of chemical weapons as a clear breach of international norms and agreements. The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable."
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