Burnham rejects Corbyn demand for public inquiry into UK role in Gaza

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has officially rejected a demand for a public inquiry into the United Kingdom's role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The refusal comes following a formal request from Jeremy Corbyn, the parliamentary leader of Your Party and former Labour leader, who sought an investigation into Britain's complicity in Israel's war crimes. This decision highlights a deepening rift within the left regarding the government's responsibility for military and political support for Israel.

The demand for accountability

The push for an inquiry was initiated by Jeremy Corbyn, who wrote to the Prime Minister in July calling for a "Chilcot-style" investigation. According to Novara Media, such an inquiry would examine military cooperation and arms sales to Israel since October 2023. This follows a Gaza Tribunal held in London last year, which the Morning Star reports highlighted the extent of British state involvement in supporting Israel's actions.

Corbyn argued that the public deserves to know the full extent of Britain's military, economic, and political cooperation with Israel. This includes arms supplies, surveillance flights, and the use of RAF bases. In a statement shared on Instagram, Corbyn criticised Burnham for failing to break with the previous government's record.

"Andy Burnham rightly said that the last Labour government 'got it wrong' over Gaza," Corbyn stated. "However, his words will mean very little if he doesn’t break with the last government’s shameful record of complicity, secrecy and evasion."

Government refusal and existing mechanisms

The government defended its position through Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty. According to the Morning Star, Doughty claimed that the government's actions regarding the Gaza conflict have already been subject to "extensive parliamentary scrutiny" via ministerial statements, debates, select committee oversight, and parliamentary questions. He stated that, given these existing mechanisms, the government does not believe a specific inquiry is necessary.

Novara Media notes that Burnham has maintained the policy of his predecessor, Keir Starmer, regarding military exports. While the Starmer government suspended 30 arms export sales to Israel in September 2025, the UK has continued to send components for F35 fighter jets, which have been used in the bombing of Gaza. Furthermore, military flights to Israel from UK bases have continued under the Burnham administration.

Context of complicity

The demand for scrutiny is framed against the backdrop of a humanitarian catastrophe. Novara Media reports that a UN commission found earlier this year that Israel is committing genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children, noting that more than 70,000 civilians have been killed in the territory since 2023.

The reference to a "Chilcot-style" inquiry invokes the years-long investigation into Tony Blair’s decision to invade Iraq. Novara Media points out that Burnham, as an MP, was among those who voted in favour of that invasion.

In our assessment, the government's refusal to allow an independent investigation, while maintaining the flow of military components and intelligence, suggests a prioritisation of state secrecy and military alliances over the demand for legal and moral accountability. By relying on existing parliamentary mechanisms to avoid a dedicated inquiry, the leadership appears to be attempting to manage political fallout without addressing the structural nature of British complicity in the conflict.

This piece was generated automatically by an AI model from the sources listed below. It has not been reviewed by a human editor.

Sources

• Burnham blocks Corbyn’s demand for public inquiry into Britain’s role in Gaza — Morning Star
• Burnham Rejects Corbyn’s Call for Inquiry Into UK’s Role in Gaza Genocide — Novara Media