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| Michael Fallon: 'Morally indefensible' not to bomb IS in Syria | Michael Fallon: 'Morally indefensible' not to bomb IS in Syria |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It is "morally indefensible" for Britain to rely on other countries to tackle the so-called Islamic State in Syria, Michael Fallon has said. | It is "morally indefensible" for Britain to rely on other countries to tackle the so-called Islamic State in Syria, Michael Fallon has said. |
| The defence secretary told the BBC he was appealing to MPs to reconsider the case for airstrikes in the country. | The defence secretary told the BBC he was appealing to MPs to reconsider the case for airstrikes in the country. |
| In 2013, MPs rejected possible UK military action in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. | In 2013, MPs rejected possible UK military action in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. |
| He dismissed reports a second vote has been dropped, saying it would be held when "we are pretty sure we can win". | He dismissed reports a second vote has been dropped, saying it would be held when "we are pretty sure we can win". |
| "I am asking MPs particularly to reflect on the fact that the streets of Britain at the moment are being kept safe by American, Australian and French aircraft striking at the heart of ISIL in north-east Syria from where ISIL is organised and directed," he said. | "I am asking MPs particularly to reflect on the fact that the streets of Britain at the moment are being kept safe by American, Australian and French aircraft striking at the heart of ISIL in north-east Syria from where ISIL is organised and directed," he said. |
| "ISIL is a very direct threat to us in Britain. We've had 30 British holidaymakers slaughtered on a beach in Tunisia, and it's not right morally to rely on French or Australian or American aircraft to keep our streets safe." | |
| 'Artificial border' | 'Artificial border' |
| Last year, Parliament approved UK airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq, with the government winning by 524-43. | Last year, Parliament approved UK airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq, with the government winning by 524-43. |
| Mr Fallon said it made "no sense" for British aircraft to have to turn back at "an artificial border that ISIL itself does not respect". | Mr Fallon said it made "no sense" for British aircraft to have to turn back at "an artificial border that ISIL itself does not respect". |
| "If we're serious about tackling ISIL, in the end we have to be prepared to strike at ISIL headquarters, which is in Syria, not Iraq." | "If we're serious about tackling ISIL, in the end we have to be prepared to strike at ISIL headquarters, which is in Syria, not Iraq." |
| "This is a new parliament, and we are continuing to work to build a consensus that would give us the authority to strikes at the heart of ISIL in north-east Syria," he said. | "This is a new parliament, and we are continuing to work to build a consensus that would give us the authority to strikes at the heart of ISIL in north-east Syria," he said. |
| "It makes no sense for British aircraft to have to turn back at an artificial border that ISIL itself does not respect." | "It makes no sense for British aircraft to have to turn back at an artificial border that ISIL itself does not respect." |
| Consensus | Consensus |
| He would not be drawn on when any second parliamentary vote on military action in Syria might take place, saying it would be when there was "a consensus". | He would not be drawn on when any second parliamentary vote on military action in Syria might take place, saying it would be when there was "a consensus". |
| "This is a new parliament, we are continuing to work to build a consensus," he said. | "This is a new parliament, we are continuing to work to build a consensus," he said. |
| Over the next few weeks the government will hold a series of intelligence briefings for MPs on the year-long RAF campaign to try to build a political consensus to expand their mission, Mr Fallon added. | Over the next few weeks the government will hold a series of intelligence briefings for MPs on the year-long RAF campaign to try to build a political consensus to expand their mission, Mr Fallon added. |
| On Tuesday, the influential Foreign Affairs Committee - which has a Conservative majority - urged Prime Minister David Cameron not to press ahead with a vote on UK air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria. | On Tuesday, the influential Foreign Affairs Committee - which has a Conservative majority - urged Prime Minister David Cameron not to press ahead with a vote on UK air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria. |
| The committee of MPs said no vote should take place on Syria until the government presents a "coherent international strategy" to defeat IS and end the country's civil war. | The committee of MPs said no vote should take place on Syria until the government presents a "coherent international strategy" to defeat IS and end the country's civil war. |
| It said it was "not yet persuaded" ministers could address its concerns. | It said it was "not yet persuaded" ministers could address its concerns. |
| It said the prime minister should instead focus on efforts to end Syria's civil war. | It said the prime minister should instead focus on efforts to end Syria's civil war. |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said there had to be a political solution and he did not believe that "more bombing is going to help in this". | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said there had to be a political solution and he did not believe that "more bombing is going to help in this". |