Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the Government to say if it is proposing further action against the Houthis and “set out the case” for doing so.

His party supports the Government’s action in the Red Sea and defended the move not being given the green light by MPs, with Sir Keir saying that when “urgent operational issues” arise it is “not possible” to have a vote in Parliament.

The Opposition leader said: “If the Government is proposing further action, then it should say so and set out the case, and we’re going to have to consider that on a case-by-case basis on the merits.”