The UK has already lifted a number of sanctions against Syria since the fall of Bashar al Assad's regime, and has suggested the rebel group HTS could be removed from proscribed terror lists.
Mr McMurdock strongly insists his business dealings were always lawful, compliant and checked by relevant authorities. But that hasn't stopped rival parties from revelling in the "chaos", as the number of Reform MPs drops from five to four.
Initially aimed at saving £5.5bn, the watered-down welfare bill now leaves the government with an estimated £5.5bn black hole - close to breaching the chancellor's fiscal rules set out last year.
Starmer won power with the largest majority in a quarter of a century but he marks his first anniversary with the humiliation of having to abandon his flagship welfare reforms in a clear blow to his authority.