David Lammy has branded Bashar Assad as the "rat of Damascus" who fled to Russia with his "tail between his legs".The Foreign Secretary said the new Labour administration resisted any calls to re-engage with Syria under Mr Assad's rule as the former president was a "monster".

David Lammy has branded Bashar Assad as the "rat of Damascus" who fled to Russia with his "tail between his legs".The Foreign Secretary said the new Labour administration resisted any calls to re-engage with Syria under Mr Assad's rule as the former president was a "monster".