Starmer's decision to recognise a state of Palestine could lead to UK paying £2trillion in reparations

 Keir Starmer's controversial decision to recognise a state of Palestine could lead to demands for the UK to pay more than £2 trillion in reparations to the country, legal experts have said.

Sir Keir has said the UK will press ahead with the move, which is expected to be announced ahead of his visit to the UN this week, unless Israel meets certain conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.

It has been condemned by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch for 'rewarding terrorism', while the US Government says that it will have 'disastrous consequences'. 

Keir Starmer 's controversial decision to recognise a state of Palestine could lead to demands for the UK to pay more than £2 trillion in reparations to the country, legal experts have said. Pictured: A view of the Gaza Strip from a position at Israel's border on Friday

Now legal experts have warned that it could also be a costly decision – because the new country would ask for eye-watering damages in compensation for land 'taken from the Palestinian people' when Britain relinquished control of the region after the Second World War.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has a long history of threatening to sue Britain, is demanding 'reparations in accordance with international law' based on the value of the land which was under British rule between 1917 and 1948. 

Some international law experts have described £2 trillion, roughly the size of Britain's total economy, as a 'good place to start'.

Families of the hostages abducted by Hamas in the October 7 attacks have written to the Prime Minister to condemn the decision, which they claim has 'dramatically complicated' efforts to be reunited with their relatives. 

In an open letter to Sir Keir, they said: 'Your regrettable announcement of the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.

'Hamas has already celebrated the UK's decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal. We write to you with a simple plea - do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms.'

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