Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron has refused to apologise after branding MPs who oppose air strikes in Syria “terrorist sympathisers”.
The Prime Minister faced repeated interventions from MPs during a House of Commons debate on military action demanding that he retract the attack.
Mr Cameron reportedly last night told rebel Conservative MPs that they might be set to “walk through the lobbies with Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers”.
But today he did not acknowledge requests in parlaiment to withdraw the comments, even from pro-intervention MPs.
“Will he apologise for the remarks he made last night against honourable and right honourable friends on this side of the House?” Labour MP Caroline Flint asked.
Mr Cameron replied “I respect people who disagree. I respect the fact that governments of all colours are have had to fight terrorism and that this is a debate about how to fight terrorism, not whether to fight terrorism” but would not retract the comments.
Other interventions came from MPs including pro-intervention Labour MP John Woodcock, Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake, and former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Cameron was asked to withdraw the comments at least seven times in the first half an hour of the debate, which is set to last well into the evening.
The rally rose to over a dozen times within the first whole hour of the debate, with Labour leader Mr Corbyn also giving him an opportunity to retract the claim.
The Government is expected to win the vote to extend air strikes to Syria with the help of pro-intervention Labour MPs.
The UK is currently bombing Isis in Iraq; US, French and Russian plans are currently conducting air strikes against militants in Syria.
Labour is split on whether to extend strikes from Iraq to Syria, with shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn expected to speak in favour and leader Jeremy Corbyn against.
Labour MPs themselves will get a free vote on the issue but have come under pressure from party members and activists, who are overwhelmingly against more bombing.
Mr Corbyn and his deputy leader Tom Watson had previously asked for a two day debate on Syria but Mr Cameron said the Government would only grant a single day's discussion.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments