THE news last week that chemical weapons have been used in Syria was chilling.

For politics to break down to the point that rival factions are prepared to use chemical weapons against their own compatriots is one of the gravest circumstances that can befall human society.

Over many months, our Government has been working, with others, towards a diplomatic solution and a peaceful outcome in that country. It has always looked to be an extremely challenging endeavour. Last week’s events demonstrate just how grim the situation has become.

It has been particularly disappointing to see a degree of equivocation on the part of President Putin in failing to condemn the chemical attacks and also omitting to acknowledge the probable culpability of the Assad regime.

However, I am deeply concerned that any military action proposed is underpinned with a clear and detailed rationale with a well-defined set of strategic objectives.

I can see no merit in proceeding without a realistic assessment as to how any actions would meet those objectives.

Also, any intervention must involve a very high threshold with respect to the protection of civilians, as was used in our involvement in Libya two years ago.

I remain fundamentally cautious about any actions that run serious risks of leading to an escalation of hostilities or of provoking even worse humanitarian crises or leading to the loss of innocent lives.

We cannot allow a convenient but falsely simplistic narrative to develop between the “forces of good and evil”. At the moment Syria is a cauldron of shades of evil with an unreliable and increasingly small core of “opposition” which can legitimately claim to have behaved with integrity in what has become a messy inter-ethnic and religious civil war.

Nevertheless, as with all governments and individuals who break international law, it would also be grossly irresponsible for the international community to appear to condone the behaviour of those using chemical weapons.

Those who perpetrate such atrocities cannot be free from meaningful consequences.

I will be in Parliament today to debate the latest situation and any statement by the Foreign Secretary. I will seek assurances around the concerns I have set out.