GB News hosts Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello halted the regular broadcast of their programme today to deliver a breaking news announcement about Sir Keir Starmer as he arrived in the United Arab Emirates. As the breaking news barrier flashed at the bottom of the screen, Dixon began: “Just to bring you fully up to date with the Prime Minister this morning, he’s arrived in the UAE for talks on the Iran war as the ceasefire agreement comes under particular strain.”
He then brought viewers the latest footage of Starmer leaving his plane in the UAE, before the GB News host shared: “One of our guests said this morning, ‘Why is he doing it? Why now?’” Costello interjected: “[The guest said] He’s always a day late and a dollar short.” Dixon replied: “It’s a damning phrase to use, but maybe something will come of this. Maybe pressure could be maintained to keep this ceasefire in place, but we will see.”
It comes as the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, called for the Strait of Hormuz to be fully reopened and free.
The presenters then invited Shadow Secretary Priti Patel onto the programme to share her thoughts – and she torn Starmer apart when questioned about the Iran-US conflict.
Patel said: “This whole issue with the Strait of Hormuz is very concerning, and let’s not forget that before the war, this was an international waterway under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. So it’s just preposterous to think that there is even any suggestion of tolling.
“It will have an enormous impact – and the whole conflict has obviously tied up so many ships right now.”
When asked if she was pleased about Starmer’s visit to the Gulf, she fumed: “Nobody is clear about what Keir Starmer is doing whatsoever. He has just dithered when it comes to every single international situation… I think we need to recognise that he was absent when this conflict started.”
Starmer is holding talks with regional allies about maintaining the cessation of hostilities as well as discussing measures needed to restore confidence for shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz.
