BRITAIN would play no part in any military action against North Korean despot Kim Jong Un, Government insiders have revealed.

The signal came as Theresa May’s deputy called for a de-escalation of tension between US President Donald Trump and the rogue Communist state — but it was immediately slammed as “weak and ill-judged.”

4 The UK will not be involved in any military action against North Korea Credit: EPA

First Secretary of State Damian Green said it is “obviously” in Britain’s interests that the stand-off between Washington and Pyongyang does not lead to conflict.

Speaking in Edinburgh, he urged Mr Trump to be “sensible” and go through the UN before acting on his “fire and fury” threat.

A senior Government source insisted the UN was as far as the UK would go in support of a possible military strike by the US.

They told The Sun: “The Americans are more than capable of doing what they might want, or have to do, in the region without our help.”

It came as North Korea issued a renewed threat to launch a missile strike on the US Pacific island territory of Guam.

Asked whether Mr Trump was wise to threaten to unleash “fire and fury” in retaliation, Mr Green said: “I think the sensible way for people to proceed is to work through the UN process, that’s what the British Government has been supporting and will continue to support.”

4 President Trump has threatened 'fire and fury' against North Korea Credit: AFP or licensors

However the Ministry of Defence and No10’s position was immediately slammed as “weak” by military experts.

Ex-Commander of British Forces Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp said the UK “should support the US against North Korea in sanctions, diplomatic pressure and military action.”

He added: “Failure by the UK to stand by its most important ally strengthens the North Korean dictator and weakens the West.

“To rule out supporting the US at this stage is weak, ill-judged and undermines deterrence against a dangerous threat.”

4 The regime has been testing a lot of missiles in recent times Credit: Reuters

4 Kim has threatened to fire four missiles towards Guam Credit: AFP

Jeremy Corbyn calls on US and North Korea to 'ratchet down the rhetoric' JEREMY CORBYN has urged the US and North Korea to "ratchet down the rhetoric" and calm the situation between the two countries. The Labour leader said the situation was "obviously extremely dangerous" and called for fresh talks. But he also said that one day he hoped the country, which has repeatedly sought to make and test nuclear weapons, could be brought into the "orbit of the rest of the world". Long-standing anti-nuclear campaigner Mr Corbyn said using the weapons would be "unthinkable". He went on: "We don't need a world with nuclear weapons, and there's no such thing as an isolated nuclear strike and so we need to ratchet down the rhetoric on both sides. He added: "Hopefully one day North Korea will come into the orbit of the rest of the world... there is no such thing as an isolated nuclear attack, it would kill millions, on both sides of the Korean border and of course in neighbouring countries."

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But the stance was welcomed by the new Chairman of the powerful commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat.

Comparing the crisis to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the Tory rising star said: “Kennedy and Khrushchev showed that nuclear tensions can be unwound by measured and thoughtful action.”

He added: “I look forward to the US and North Korea working with regional partners including China to reduce tensions and end the nuclear brinkmanship.”