First Minister has today warned the UK faces
being drawn into an open-ended conflict in the Middle East unless
the Prime Minister refocuses efforts on de-escalation.
Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy
Agency has set out that the global economy faces a “major, major
threat” as a result of the conflict.
Speaking after he met with energy industry leaders in Aberdeen,
including Adura, bp and the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of
Commerce, to discuss the deepening crisis that is sending
shockwaves through energy markets, the First Minister said:
“It was obvious last week that a lack of clear, principled
thinking by the UK Government risked us being drawn ever deeper
into this conflict.
“Now that the UK Government has reportedly allowed US operations
against Iran to be launched from UK bases, we are sliding into an
offensive war that the UK does not want, cannot legally justify
and has no clear exit strategy from.
“The Prime Minister must get off the road to open-ended war and
put all efforts into de-escalating this conflict.
“That cannot be done by dropping more bombs. It needs a
co-ordinated effort by the UK, in concert with our European
allies, to make a difference.
“If he fails, the Prime Minister will be responsible for the UK
being dragged into a conflict without any clear plan. And people
across this country will be hammered as everything from fuel to
food and daily essentials rise in price.”
