The MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Ed Davey is urging the government to sanction US President Donald Trump's plans to begin military action against Iran over its violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

According to human rights groups, more than 2,400 people have been killed in the recent crackdown by the Iranian authorities in response to nationwide protests.

Trump's comments on Wednesday (14 January) about military action came after the US and UK both reduced the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. Officials told CBS, the BBC's US partner, that a partial American withdrawal was a "precautionary measure".

Trump had earlier threatened "very strong action" against Iran if the government executed protesters, after reports emerged that a 26-year-old man who had been arrested during the height of the demonstrations had been sentenced to death.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ed Davey said: "We need to sanction the awful regime in Iran and freeze Iranian assets in London.

"But the world would take Donald Trump's concerns over the brutal murder of protesters in Iran more seriously if his government stopped murdering protesters in Minnesota."

The Lib Dem leader added: "I have to say, I'd take Donald Trump's concerns about the brutal murder of protestors in Iran more seriously when his regime stops murdering protestors in Minnesota.

"We should sanction leadership. I think we should freeze Iranian assets in London. I think we should, as Liberal Democrats have argued for a long time, prescribe IRG.

"Take these measures to really hit home at the awful regime in Tehran."

He continued: "I have to say, I take Donald Trump's concerns about the brutal murder of protestors in Iran more seriously when his regime stops murdering protestors in Minnesota.

"You know, Trump has not got a good record. The police in America have not got a good record."

The Lib Dem MP has consistently voiced his opposition towards Trump, including when he was first elected as president and his threats to sue the BBC.

Earlier this week, Ed Davey also criticised Trump's plans to invade Greenland.