O'Neill Voices Opposition to UK Government's Middle East Strategy
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has expressed her fundamental disagreement with the UK government's handling of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, consented to a US request permitting the use of British military bases to conduct "defensive" strikes targeting Iranian missile sites.
This decision followed coordinated strikes by Israel and the US on Iran on Saturday, which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones against US assets and allied nations throughout the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
O'Neill Describes Conflict as Spiralling and Deeply Disturbing
O'Neill characterized the weekend's developments as a "spiralling conflict" and found them "deeply disturbing."
"It was absolutely the wrong call of the British government to join in this war," she stated.
"I fundamentally disagree with the British government's approach, the fact that they have now joined this reckless war," she added.
"This is a war that should never have begun."
Briefing Attendance and Government Engagement
On Saturday, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly participated virtually in a briefing with senior UK government security advisers concerning the Middle East situation, alongside the first ministers of Scotland and Wales.
Little-Pengelly noted that O'Neill was invited to the briefing but chose not to attend; the reason for her absence remains unknown.
A spokesperson for the Executive Office, led by the first minister and deputy first minister, confirmed that both officials were offered a meeting by the Cabinet Office.
They clarified that the deputy first minister attended "on behalf of the Executive Office."
O'Neill's Continued Engagement and Focus on Safety
Speaking at Stormont on Monday, O'Neill affirmed her ongoing involvement over the weekend.
"My primacy in all of this is the safety of Irish citizens, of British citizens that are living out there, that have travelled out there for holidays.
Our job is to try to remain engaged and to get those people safely extracted but I fundamentally disagree with the fact that a war has begun," O'Neill said.
