Tony Blair faces scathing criticism for telling Keir Starmer he ought to have backed US

Furious MPs and the dad of a soldier killed in Iraq have hit out at Tony Blair after the former PM said Keir Starmer should have supported US strikes on Iran from the start

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The dad of a serviceman killed in the Iraq war has said of Tony Blair’s apparent criticism of Keir Starmer for not backing the US-Israel war on Iran: “It’s a joke.”

Former PM Sir Tony, who took the UK into the Iraq war in 2003 at the US’s urging, reportedly told a private event: “I think we should have backed America from the very beginning.”

He added: “If they are your ally and an indispensable cornerstone for your security… you had better show up when they want you to.” Critics pointed out Sir Tony should be supporting the UK government, not Mr Trump.

It comes as the US-Israel bombardment of Iran continued and it vowed to step up retaliation against US targets across the Middle East.

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John Miller, whose 21-year-old son Simon was one of six Royal Military Policemen killed by a 600-strong mob in Iraq in 2003, said yesterday the current PM should not be taking Sir Tony’s advice after he “led us into an illegal war”.

Mr Miller, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, said he supported British action in Iran after a drone strike targeted the RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus.

But of Sir Tony’s intervention, he said: “It’s a joke. He should be in the Hague on war crimes. I don’t know why he is given airtime to give his views on these things.”

Labour MP Jon Trickett said of Sir Tony: “A prolonged period of silence would be most welcome, particularly on matters to do with war and peace in the Middle East, where his record is disastrous.”

Fellow Labour MP Clive Lewis said: “This is the Prime Minister who led Britain into an illegal war whose consequences are still unfolding today. He’s the last person the current prime minister should be turning to for advice.”

Labour backbencher Imran Hussain said: “The last thing the country needs right now is lectures about Middle East wars from Tony Blair.”

Sir Tony recently joined the executive board of Mr Trump’s controversial Board of Peace, raising questions about whether the role presents a potential conflict of interest. The Trump-founded body is separate from the United Nations.

Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell said: “The mind boggles about the fact that he would be one of the people involved.” She added: “I don’t know why he has involved himself in this, because we should be using the internationally recognised institutions, imperfect as they are, to try and find a way forward.”

MPs called for King Charles’ planned US visit to meet Donald Trump to be be called off. The monarch’s trip, scheduled for next month, is under threat amid fears it would be insensitive as war wages in the Middle East.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to spend three days in the US to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. It includes a state banquet at the White House followed by a visit to New York.

Ms Maskell said: “I think that visit should be put on hold at the moment to be quite honest. I’m not sure what would be gained from his going to the US, unless it was to make a direct intervention on this current conflict. This should be the only thing on anyone’s agenda.”

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Keir Starmer should advise the King that the state visit to the US scheduled for April should be called off. At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it’s clear this visit should not go ahead.

“A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.”

Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward said: “It is unthinkable that the King should grace Trump with a visit.” No10 last night declined to comment on the King and Queen’s visit.

Mr Trump has launched a string of stinging attacks on the PM after he initially refused to allow UK bases to be used for attacks on Iran, angrily telling reporters last week: “This is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with.”

On Saturday night, he posted on Truth Social: “The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.

“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer. But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”

Mr Starmer yesterday spoke to Mr Trump for the first time since their fallout became public. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation through the use of RAF bases in support of self-defence. The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences following the deaths of six US soldiers. They looked forward to speaking again soon.”

Defending the PM yesterday, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said joining Trump’s initial strikes was not in Britain’s interests. She said of the “special relationship”: “There will be areas where we disagree. But that is a legitimate thing for the Prime Minister to do.”

Asked if Britain was at war, she said: “We are providing defensive support in a conflict, and that is, I think, the way to describe it.”

The Iranian regime was yesterday accused of striking a crucial plant for treating drinking water across the Gulf states. And Saudi Arabia said two people died when a missile from Iran struck a residential area.

In a video address, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said: “When we are attacked, we have no choice but to respond. Our country will not bow easily in the face of bullying.”