LAST Wednesday was a dark day in the proud history of steel making in this area; the news that two people tragically lost their lives as a result of an explosion at the Celsa steel works was devastating.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the two men who died. I also want to pay tribute to the fire, police and ambulance services who responded with diligence and professionalism to such a serious incident.

I have visited the works numerous times over the past few years – most recently just a few weeks ago - and I have a close relationship with the workforce, management and trade unions. I have been in close contact with them over the past week, and it is clear how devastated and shocked they are by this terrible event.

A full investigation will of course be required, but at this stage our focus must be on those who have been directly affected. I attended a minute's silence at Celsa last Friday, and it was a deeply moving occasion.

Many constituents have been in touch to tell me their views on any potential British military action against ISIL/Daesh in Syria.

The United Nations Security Council last week unanimously approved a resolution that urges UN member states to take all necessary measures to combat ISIL/Daesh in Iraq and Syria, because of the unprecedented threat it represents to international peace and security – and alongside my colleagues in the shadow Foreign Affairs team, I welcome this.

I also welcome the progress made in Vienna on a plan to end the Syrian civil war, which will help in the fight against ISIL/Daesh by dealing with the chaos, violence and fear that allows it to thrive and to commit the depraved acts of violence and murder we have seen around the world.

The Security Council resolution must be seen as part of an overall effort to quicken moves towards a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Syria.

Labour’s position remains the same as it consistently has – that we will judge any Government proposal on British military action in Syria on the following criteria: what difference it would make to the objective of defeating ISIL/Daesh; its objectives; its legal basis; and the views of other nations in the region. Crucially, any action would have to be part of a wider and more comprehensive strategy to end the threat they pose, and achieve a negotiated solution to the Syrian civil war.