Wilson '˜would not back intervention in Syria'

The DUP's Sammy Wilson has reportedly said he does not believe the British military should intervene in Syria.
Sammy Wilson in the CommonsSammy Wilson in the Commons
Sammy Wilson in the Commons

He was speaking amid a renewed push for military action after last Saturday’s chemical attack in the town of Douma, which has been widely blamed on the Syrian government.

Mr Wilson, MP for East Antrim, said it would be a “significant step” for the Government to take and therefore should require a Commons vote.

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He is quoted as telling the Daily Mail: “I really think there should be a Commons vote on it as it’s a very significant step for the Government to take. There’s Parliamentary precedent on these matters but I suspect the Prime Minister’s already made up her mind.

“Personally, I’d vote not to take action. But I suspect the party might take a different view. If this happens, I’d listen to the arguments but I don’t think we should intervene.”

According to the website TheyWorkForYou.com, which monitors MPs’ voting records, in recent years Mr Wilson has voted in favour of military action in the Middle East targeting the Islamic State group in both Syria and in Iraq.

Theresa May’s government is only able to guarantee its dominance in the Commons thanks to the support of the DUP’s 10 MPs, ever since the Tories lost their outright Commons majority last year.

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The DUP-Tory deal says the DUP will support government legislation on matters including finance and “national security”, adding: “Support on other matters will be agreed on a case by case basis.”

It adds that: “Support on other matters will be agreed on a case by case basis.”