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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK outlaws Isis militant group behind Iraqi attacks | UK outlaws Isis militant group behind Iraqi attacks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Islamist militant group that has seized control of parts of Iraq has been outlawed in the UK. | The Islamist militant group that has seized control of parts of Iraq has been outlawed in the UK. |
| The Home Office said it would be a criminal offence to associate with or give financial backing to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis). | The Home Office said it would be a criminal offence to associate with or give financial backing to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis). |
| "We want to send a strong message that terrorist activity is not tolerated wherever it happens," it said. | "We want to send a strong message that terrorist activity is not tolerated wherever it happens," it said. |
| The UK has ruled out a role in any military action but said it may provide other support to the Iraqi government. | The UK has ruled out a role in any military action but said it may provide other support to the Iraqi government. |
| Foreign Secretary William Hague is making a statement to Parliament on events in Iraq after recent territorial advances by the Sunni-dominated Isis group. | |
| 'Useful weapon' | 'Useful weapon' |
| He has also spoken to his counterpart in Iran about the crisis, amid reports that Tehran is considering military support to the Shia-led administration in Iraq. | He has also spoken to his counterpart in Iran about the crisis, amid reports that Tehran is considering military support to the Shia-led administration in Iraq. |
| Meanwhile, the Home Office has proscribed Isis and four other groups, which it said had been involved in acts of terrorism in Syria. | Meanwhile, the Home Office has proscribed Isis and four other groups, which it said had been involved in acts of terrorism in Syria. |
| "Proscription is a useful weapon in the armoury at the disposal of the government, police and security service to disrupt terrorist activity and protect the UK," said Home Office Minister James Brokenshire. | "Proscription is a useful weapon in the armoury at the disposal of the government, police and security service to disrupt terrorist activity and protect the UK," said Home Office Minister James Brokenshire. |
| "Today we have laid an order which will proscribe five groups with links to Syria. | "Today we have laid an order which will proscribe five groups with links to Syria. |
| "Four other groups operating in Syria are already proscribed. This means being a member of or supporting these organisations will be a criminal offence." | "Four other groups operating in Syria are already proscribed. This means being a member of or supporting these organisations will be a criminal offence." |
| The other groups being outlawed are: | The other groups being outlawed are: |
| 'Heavy responsibility' | 'Heavy responsibility' |
| Earlier, Mr Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the situation was worrying and the Iraqi government bore a "heavy responsibility" to try and get a grip on events. | Earlier, Mr Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the situation was worrying and the Iraqi government bore a "heavy responsibility" to try and get a grip on events. |
| Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the UK to consider some form of "targeted action" in Iraq to check the insurgents' advances but London Mayor Boris Johnson has said this would be "unhinged". | Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the UK to consider some form of "targeted action" in Iraq to check the insurgents' advances but London Mayor Boris Johnson has said this would be "unhinged". |
| The UK, Mr Hague said, was considering how it could provide assistance to the Iraqi government, ranging from humanitarian aid to help refugees to some form of "counter terrorism expertise". | The UK, Mr Hague said, was considering how it could provide assistance to the Iraqi government, ranging from humanitarian aid to help refugees to some form of "counter terrorism expertise". |
| Although it was not sensible to "absolutely rule out all things out in all situations", Mr Hague said that the UK was not contemplating any direct involvement in Iraq. | Although it was not sensible to "absolutely rule out all things out in all situations", Mr Hague said that the UK was not contemplating any direct involvement in Iraq. |
| "We are not planning any military intervention by the UK in this situation," he said. | "We are not planning any military intervention by the UK in this situation," he said. |
| "In this situation, today, in Iraq, with what we have seen in recent days, are we looking at a British military intervention? No we are not. I can't be clearer than that." | "In this situation, today, in Iraq, with what we have seen in recent days, are we looking at a British military intervention? No we are not. I can't be clearer than that." |
| He added: "The US is more likely to have the assets and capability for any outside intervention than the UK but I stress again that Iraqi security and political leadership is of paramount importance in these circumstances." | He added: "The US is more likely to have the assets and capability for any outside intervention than the UK but I stress again that Iraqi security and political leadership is of paramount importance in these circumstances." |
| 'Closed the door' | 'Closed the door' |
| The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said this was "pretty categorical" and Mr Hague had "closed the door" to any UK involvement in military action. | The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said this was "pretty categorical" and Mr Hague had "closed the door" to any UK involvement in military action. |
| However, Norman Smith said he understood a handful of UK military advisers may be sent to Iraq to provide technical support. | However, Norman Smith said he understood a handful of UK military advisers may be sent to Iraq to provide technical support. |
| Mr Hague acknowledged that the government would find it difficult to get Parliament to agree to any military action after it rejected air strikes in Syria last year. | Mr Hague acknowledged that the government would find it difficult to get Parliament to agree to any military action after it rejected air strikes in Syria last year. |
| But he rejected the idea that the vote on Syria meant that Parliament would not vote in favour of military action in different circumstances. | But he rejected the idea that the vote on Syria meant that Parliament would not vote in favour of military action in different circumstances. |
| Mr Hague rejected suggestions that the turmoil in Iraq was a direct legacy of the US-UK led invasion of the country to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003. | Mr Hague rejected suggestions that the turmoil in Iraq was a direct legacy of the US-UK led invasion of the country to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003. |
| While errors had been made "in the aftermath" of the invasion, he said he did not think it had been a mistake itself for the UK to participate in the invasion. | While errors had been made "in the aftermath" of the invasion, he said he did not think it had been a mistake itself for the UK to participate in the invasion. |
| "It is entirely possible to say it was the right thing to remove Saddam Hussein but that mistakes were made in the aftermath," he said. | "It is entirely possible to say it was the right thing to remove Saddam Hussein but that mistakes were made in the aftermath," he said. |
| On the wider issue of Western intervention in the Middle East, he added: "It is possible to argue that Western intervention makes these problems worse and it is possible to argue that the absence of Western intervention makes these things worse." | On the wider issue of Western intervention in the Middle East, he added: "It is possible to argue that Western intervention makes these problems worse and it is possible to argue that the absence of Western intervention makes these things worse." |
| Rory Stewart, the new Conservative chair of the Commons defence committee, said the situation in Iraq was extremely complicated and the international community should be "incredibly cautious" about doing anything that might risk inflaming sectarian tensions. | Rory Stewart, the new Conservative chair of the Commons defence committee, said the situation in Iraq was extremely complicated and the international community should be "incredibly cautious" about doing anything that might risk inflaming sectarian tensions. |