Doncaster MP Ed Miliband is said to have “spearheaded” a Labour rebellion to US military action in Iran, after reportedly pushing a “pacifist” case to the Cabinet against President Donald Trump’s missile attacks.

The Energy Secretary and Doncaster North MP is reported to have led opposition to British participation in the conflict - including preventing the US from using RAF bases and the joint US-UK facility at Diego Garcia – also backed by Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper, according to the Daily Telegraph.

He allegedly voiced strong objections to the impending US strikes during a National Security Council meeting on Friday, which had been called to discuss the potential impact of the conflict on Britain’s energy supply.

According to The Telegraph, he presented a "petulant, pacifist, legalistic, and very political" case against strikes on Iran and any UK involvement, relying on legal advice from Attorney General Lord Hermer.

Doncaster MP and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is reported to have led opposition to Donald Trump's war on Iran.

placeholder image — Doncaster MP and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is reported to have led opposition to Donald Trump's war on Iran.

The newspaper said that he was opposed by Defence Secretary and fellow Doncaster MP John Healey (Rawmarsh and Conisbrough) who supported allowing British bases to be used for defensive operations to support allies.

The Chancellor and Foreign Secretary are said to have backed Mr Miliband’s position during the meeting, with Sir Keir Starmer initially agreeing.

However, the Prime Minister reversed course less than 48 hours later, allowing the US to use British bases including Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for “limited defensive” purposes.

Sir Keir’s initial reluctance to allow the use of the Chagos Islands base drew criticism from Donald Trump, who said the Prime Minister was “no Winston Churchill”.

Downing Street strongly denied reports that Sir Keir had previously intended to approve US use of RAF bases before opposition from Mr Miliband and other ministers.

Mr Miliband previously led the 2013 campaign to block military intervention in Syria while serving as opposition leader, after Barack Obama and David Cameron proposed action following reports Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons.

The UK has since taken steps to support the US more directly, including announcing that HMS Dragon will be deployed to help defend a British base in Cyprus.

However, Western officials said the Type 45 destroyer will not leave Portsmouth for another week as it undergoes maintenance before deployment to the eastern Mediterranean.