Sky News was unexpectedly halted for major breaking news with a huge update on Britain’s stance on the ongoing conflict within the Middle East. After Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK would be sending more fighter jets to the region, presenter Sarah-Jane Mee was joined by Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall, who blasted the politician. In a press conference, Sir Keir detailed that four extra Typhoon fighter jets are being deployed to Qatar, while two Wildcat helicopters armed with drone-busting missiles are heading for Cyprus.

Despite this, Sir Simon was unimpressed, criticising Starmer and the state of the British military. He fumed: “We appear to have a military at the moment that’s very underfunded. “Given the importance of the region and the importance of the region to our allies as well … to be so thin on the ground frankly at this stage is an embarrassment.”

The Sky News guest argued: “It does leave us open, particularly on the side of megaphone diplomacy that the Americans do indulge in at the moment.

“It’s a pity, but what we really don’t want is the rhetoric being ramped up, and I just think we should’ve been more visible on the ground. We were given a base in Bahrain by the Bahrainis.”

Sir Simon stated: “It’s a travesty in many ways that we no longer have the ships there to provide that visible presence, given we have 300,000 British citizens in the area.

“I just think it’s a bad time, and I think most proud and patriotic British people are rather embarrassed that we have left ourselves open at this stage, when critical events are happening, and we’re inclined to be looked on as some bystanders.”

After the US and Israel joined forces to strike Iran, Starmer released a statement which revealed that he would not make the same “mistakes” as former prime minister Tony Blair during the 2003 Iraq War.

He announced: “I want to be very clear: we all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons. We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now.

“But Iran is pursuing a scorched earth strategy – so we are supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our people in the region. Because that is our duty to the British people. It is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat and prevent the situation spiralling further.”

The Prime Minister has since granted permission for the US to use the British military bases strictly for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites.