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Western Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Security review launched after Pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF base
Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday morning shows two people inside RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. Defence Secretary John Healey said he was 'disturbed' by the vandalism, while Sir Keir Starmer said it was 'disgraceful'. 'I am really disturbed that this happened and have ordered an investigation and a review of wider security at our bases,' Mr Healey said. 'These aircraft are used by our military personnel to support security and peace around the world. 'This action does nothing to support Gaza or our push for peace and stability in the Middle East.' Downing Street said security is being reviewed across the defence estate and that the Government is working closely with police. The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 20, 2025 A No 10 spokesman said: 'A full security review is under way at Brize Norton. 'We are reviewing security across the whole defence estate. 'We treat all breaches of security very seriously, and where there is suspected criminal activity, we will take the necessary steps to investigate and prosecute in line with longstanding principle.' He said the incident had not disrupted any planned aircraft movements or operations. Pro-Palestinian activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (Palestine Action/PA) A spokesman for the campaign group said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.' RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Footage showed one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker (Palestine Action/PA) A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. 'They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' Sir Keir said in a post on X: 'The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: 'We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. 'An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. 'Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.'
Daily Maverick
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Pro-Palestinian activists damage planes at UK military base
Palestine Action said two members had entered the Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire, putting paint into the engines of the Voyager aircraft and further damaging them with crowbars. 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel U.S./Israeli fighter jets,' the group said in a statement, posting a video of the incident on X. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the 'vandalism' as 'disgraceful' in a post on X. Britain's defence ministry and police were investigating. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all,' the ministry said. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' Palestine Action is among groups that have regularly targeted defence firms and other companies in Britain linked to Israel since the start of the conflict in Gaza. The group said it had also sprayed paint on the runway and left a Palestine flag there.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF base and vandalise planes
The clip show one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. The incident was condemned by the Ministry of Defence who said the vandalism was being investigated by police. Pro-Palestinian activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (Palestine Action/PA) The Prime Minister called it 'disgraceful'. A spokesman for the campaign group said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli Government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.' RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Footage showed one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker (Palestine Action/PA) A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. 'They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 20, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: 'The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. 'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: 'We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. 'An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. 'Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.'
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
British prime minister condemns protest by pro-Palestinian activists
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemend a break-in at RAF Brize Norton, where pro-Palestinian activists reportedly vandalised two military aircraft. In a post on X, Starmer called the incident 'disgraceful,' saying: 'The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.' The airbase, located in central England, serves as a key hub for UK military operations.
United News of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Middle East plunging into abyss of instability and war, says Kremlin
St Petersburg, June 20 (UNI) The Middle East region is now plunging into the abyss of instability and war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "First of all, the countries of the region (West Asia/Middle East) should set a red line, because this region is now plunging into the abyss of instability and war," Peskov told reporters on the sidelines of the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), reports Daily Observer. The aggravation of the situation in the Middle East is fraught with the expansion of geography and involvement of new participants, Peskov said. "We are concerned. You know, we have repeatedly said that President Vladmir Putin has the potential to offer mediation terms if necessary. No one imposes them. It is just that the relations we have with Iran, Israel, and other states and regions allow us to provide such services, if necessary. It is difficult to say whether they will be in demand," Peskov said. While Moscow has been supporting Iran in the conflict, it has maintained strong back-channel talks with Jerusalem, in the hopes of cooling down tensions. Both countries have channels to facilitate dialogue, said Peskov. 'So far we see Israel's desire is to continue fighting, at least that is how they officially declare these intentions," Peskov said. Israel has made it clear that it won't back down from the conflict, which it said is aimed at the complete destruction of Iran's nuclear infrastructure. There is hope and opportunity for diplomatic efforts for the situation in the Middle East, Peskov added. Iran has also refused to back down, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini instructing the Armed Forces to intensify their attacks on Israel, in order to 'punish the Zionist state.' UNI ANV GNK 1706
