PM issues statement after pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF base and 'vandalise' aircraft

Sky News

3 hours ago

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned pro-Palestinian activists who broke into a RAF base in Oxfordshire as "disgraceful".
Palestine Action targeted RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft in what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) branded an act of "vandalism".
The pro-Palestinian group posted on X to say it had broken into the site - the largest RAF station with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.
In a video shared online, a person can be seen approaching an aircraft on a scooter as music is played. Red paint can be seen on the ground.
In a post on X, the prime minister branded the breach an "act of vandalism" and "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," he added.
The MoD also condemned the group's actions, adding: "We are working closely with the police who are investigating."
In a statement, Palestine Action - which focuses its campaigns on multinational arms dealers and has previously targeted corporate banks - said it had damaged two military planes at the RAF base, where flights depart on a daily basis for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The UK has two military bases on the island of Cyprus, a legacy of its former status as a British colony.
When it gained independence from Britain in 1960, it was agreed that Britain would maintain two "sovereign base areas" at Akrotiri in the south west and Dhekelia in the south east.
Aircraft based at Akrotiri include RAF Typhoons, which were used last year in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as Puma helicopters.
The group said two activists "broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes".
They said repurposed fire extinguishers were used to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, while further damage was made using crowbars.
"Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene," the statement added.
"Both activists managed to evade security and arrest."
Work is under way to assess whether any damage has been caused, it is understood.
No operations or planned movements are thought to have been affected.
A senior RAF source told Sky News: "The claims made by the group who broke into RAF Brize Norton show a complete lack of understanding of how the RAF operates and what these aircraft do.
"The UK is not supporting Israeli operations and these aircraft have not been used in support of Israeli forces in any shape or form."
Ben Obese-Jecty, a Liberal Democrat MP and former army officer, said the breach at Brize Norton was "absolutely staggering".
"Given the current heightened global tensions, the increase in activity and the recent exploitation of the vulnerability of Russian airbases by Ukraine, it is incredible that our busiest RAF base could be compromised," he said.