The Labour leader then asked whether the US operation to kill Suleimani was permitted under international law. He said: “The government has said that it is sympathetic to the assassination of General Suleimani. What evidence has the prime minister got to suggest that this attack on him and his death was not an illegal act by the United States?”

Johnson replied: “Clearly the strict issue of legality is not for the UK to determine, since it was not our operation. But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has a right to protect its bases and its personnel.”