PMQs: Burnham admits “concerns” after alleged U.S. interference in Ukraine Starlink access
Written under time pressure on the day of PMQs, as part of an NCTJ course task.
Andy Burnham has told Parliament he has “concerns” about alleged U.S. interference in Ukraine’s Starlink access.
He said this during Prime Minister’s Questions today, responding to a question from Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey.
Davey had accused the U.S. of “directly aiding Putin” by restricting Ukraine’s access to the satellite internet provider, called Starlink.
He said: “I understand the Prime Minister is reluctant to criticise the President of the United States, but does he agree that directly aiding Putin in this way is beyond the pale?”
Burnham said: “Of course, I have concerns about any move that diminishes the military capability of Ukraine and the position in which it finds itself.”
He added that the situation was fragile, saying: “We need to handle the situation carefully, so that we can bring back all sides to get the support behind President Zelenskyy and Ukraine.”
Last week, Starlink restricted network access in Ukraine, interfering with the use of drones on the battlefield.
Company owner Elon Musk denied responsibility.
He wrote on X last Wednesday: “Starshield [the non-commercial arm of Starlink] systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
But an article in the Wall Street Journal today disputed this, claiming that Musk had ordered the restriction himself during a call with the president.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the press that the White House wasn’t involved in the decision.
Rubio said: “We had nothing to do with it. The United States, nobody ordered that Starlink’s speed to be slowed down.”