Two Labour parliamentarians have formally urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to authorize an independent investigation into serious allegations that former Foreign Secretary David Cameron attempted to improperly influence the International Criminal Court’s proceedings regarding Israeli officials. Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain submitted their demand through a letter acquired exclusively by Middle East Eye, highlighting concerns about Britain’s potential interference with the judicial independence of the international court.
The controversy centers on claims that a high-ranking official from the previous Conservative administration threatened ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan with severe repercussions, including financial withdrawal and Britain’s exit from the Rome Statute, should he proceed with arrest warrants targeting Israeli leadership. These allegations gained substantiation through Khan’s recent submission to the ICC’s appeal chamber, which detailed inappropriate pressure from British authorities during the warrant application process for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
According to multiple sources, Cameron engaged in a particularly tense phone conversation with Prosecutor Khan on April 23, 2024, during which he characterized the potential warrants as equivalent to ‘dropping a hydrogen bomb.’ Cameron reportedly drew distinctions between prosecuting Russia for aggression against Ukraine and investigating Israel’s defensive operations following the October 7 attacks. While sources close to Cameron acknowledge the call occurred and described it as ‘robust,’ they maintain it constituted political dialogue rather than overt threats.
The parliamentary letter emphasizes that any attempted coercion of ICC officials could violate Article 70 of the Rome Statute, potentially constituting criminal obstruction of justice. The MPs expressed profound concern that such interference, particularly if originating from the highest levels of government, would cause significant damage to Britain’s international reputation as a defender of legal norms and the rules-based international order.
This development follows earlier expressions of concern from over 100 cross-party MPs and peers who previously urged the Conservative government to safeguard the ICC’s independence against political intimidation. The Office of the Prosecutor had simultaneously issued statements demanding cessation of all attempts to improperly influence its officials.
Prime Minister Starmer’s office has referred inquiries to the Foreign Office, which has consistently declined to address the specific allegations. The situation continues to develop as calls grow for transparent examination of Britain’s interactions with the international judicial body.