Hello and welcome to Coffee House Shots, The Spectator's Daily Politics Podcast. I'm Isabel Hardman,

and this is the Sunday Roundup. This week, the conflict in the Middle East enters a dangerous new phase,

and Stama announces there will be a Grimming Gangs inquiry

after all. In a major escalation, Israel and Iran are now engaged in active warfare,

trading missile strikes after Israel initially attacked Iranian nuclear sites on Friday.

UK has now sent military jets to the region, and on Sky News this morning, Trevor Phillips asked Chancellor Rachel Reeves

if UK military assets might be used in support of Israeli operations.

We are allies of the Israelis.

If they were to ask us to deploy our assets in support of their operations, would we?

Well, as I said, we haven't been involved,

and I'm not going to get involved in sort of operational decisions for the future. This is a

fast-moving situation. Israel has every right to defend itself. We also are very concerned

about Iran's nuclear deterrent.

What's the point about of being an ally if you don't come to your allies' aid when they ask?

Well, the US have also been clear. They haven't been involved in these strikes today.

We have in the past supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in.

I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future,

but so far we haven't been involved and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves

and also potentially to support our allies. Well, exactly. But so as a point of principle,

and I understand you don't want to talk about anything operational. We can't predict what's going to happen in the future. But as a point of principle, and I understand you don't want to talk about anything operational.

We can't predict what's going to happen in the future.

But as a point of principle, we are allies to the Israelis.

...