Sir Keir Starmer has shot down rumours the government would support American requests to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking today the Prime Minister resisted calls from Donald Trump to send warships to unblock the key oil trade route.

He said there had been "discussions" about a "viable plan" but said the way forward would not be easy.

He added: "We want to make sure that that involves as many partners as possible, that's been our stated directive here, particularly talking to European partners, inevitably talking to Gulf partners and to the US, because we need a credible, viable plan, if we can."

It comes just days after Mr Trump demanded the US join a coalition of other countries in sending ships to the region as the blockade sends oil prices climbing.

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