David Lammy has backtracked over his accusation that Israel committed a “breach of international law” by withholding aid to Gaza.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, the Foreign Secretary admitted that he “could have been a little clearer” and reiterated the Government’s position that Israel’s actions were a “clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law.”

It comes after Downing Street slapped him down over the claims made on Monday, with a No10 spokesman insisting that the position of the Government had not changed.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Lammy said: “Ultimately, of course, these are matters for the courts, not governments to determine. But it’s difficult to see how denying humanitarian assistance to a civilian population can be compatible with international humanitarian law.

“Though it’s important to say I could have been a little clearer than the House on Monday, our position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are a clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law.”