UK ‘trying to make sure Israel abides by international law,’ James Cleverly tells Commons – UK politics live

Foreign secretary says it is not his role to assess events unfolding as we speak' as MPs ask questions in Commons on Israel and Gaza conflict

No British aid money goes directly to the Palestinian Authority, James Cleverly has said, as a Tory backbencher condemned the payment of so-called martyr salaries".

The Conservative MP Chris Clarkson told the Commons:

It's been reported that the Palestinian Authority is to pay up to three million dollars a month in so-called martyr salaries to the families of dead and captured Hamas terrorists.

Will [the foreign secretary] join me in condemning these payments to rapists, torturers, murderers, some of whom have killed Brits? And will he also use his good offices to ensure that no British aid money has gone towards this filthy practice?

I can reassure him that we always ensure that UK aid money is protected from misappropriation, and I can confirm to him and the House that no British aid money goes directly to the Palestinian Authority.

We have raised this very issue with the Palestinian Authority and highlighted our belief that this is not conducive to good relations and a future two-state solution.

To clarify, as I think the minister did herself later on, we can confirm at least 12 British nationals were tragically killed in last week's terrorist attacks.

A further five British nationals are missing.