Tory fury as ministers hand another £13m to UNRWA

Senior Conservatives have reacted with fury after Sir Keir Starmer promised a further £13million to the UN's aid agency in Gaza.

The Prime Minister committed the extra cash during a meeting with UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini in Downing Street yesterday.

It will be used to support services for refugees in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPTs).

But the Tories pointed to how UNRWA had to fire nine staff in August after an internal probe found they may have been involved in the Hamas terror attacks on Israel.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel warned it would be 'unacceptable for British aid to be abused, used by terrorists, or if it failed to reach the most in need civilians'.

And Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said the Government 'should not be providing any aid to UNRWA until it has ridded itself of Hamas operatives'.

The previous Tory government paused funding for UNRWA in January following reports that some of the agency's staff were involved in the 7 October attacks.

But, following their general election win in July, Labour resumed UK funding for UNRWA with a fresh injection of £21million.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had been 'reassured' by an independent review into what UNRWA was doing to ensure its neutrality.

He also said some of the cash would go towards supporting 'management reforms'.

Following Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Lazzarini on Wednesday, a No10 spokesman said: 'The PM began by expressing his deep condolences for the many UNRWA staff who have been killed in conflict and they both agreed that more must be done to protect aid workers in Gaza.

'The commissioner thanked the PM for the UK's resolute support for UNRWA, and they both underscored the importance of upholding international humanitarian law.

'On funding, the PM committed to an additional £13million to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the OPTs and the region.

'The two reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and an increase of humanitarian aid.

'They agreed to continue to work together with international partners to strive for peace in the Middle East.'

In response to Sir Keir's promise of further funding for UNRWA, Ms Patel said: 'Securing the release of hostages in Gaza, getting more aid in to alleviate the humanitarian crisis faced, and establishing a sustainable peace must be a priority for the Government.

'The PM needs to explain how these priorities were advanced in his discussions with Philippe Lazzarini.

'UNRWA had to fire nine staff after investigations into their involvement in the appalling attack on Israel on 7 October last year.

'All links to the Hamas terrorist group must be severed. It is critical that UN bodies ensure adequate vetting of personnel and activities and Catherine Colonna's reforms need to be fully implemented.

'Ministers have now committed more taxpayers' money to UNWRA, but they need to prove to us that the £21million of funding they released in summer reached those most in need.

'There are deeply worrying reports that criminal gangs are ambushing aid in Gaza. It would be unacceptable for British aid to be abused, used by terrorists, or if it failed to reach the most in need civilians.'