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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.

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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”.

Brize Norton
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RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire

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.

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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.

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Graham Linehan arrest: Met Police chief says officers ‘in impossible position and should not be policing culture war debates’

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Graham Linehan arrest: Met Police chief says officers 'in impossible position and should not be policing culture war debates'

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said his officers should not be “policing toxic culture wars debates” as he responded to his force’s arrest of Father Ted writer Graham Linehan over anti-trans posts.

The UK’s top police officer said his officers are in an “impossible position”, adding that he has offered to provide suggestions to the Home Office about clarifying the law and policy.

“Greater clarity and common sense would enable us to limit the resources we dedicate to tackling online statements to those cases creating real threats in the real world,” he said.

Mr Rowley added that the Metropolitan police will be more selective about what social media posts it should investigate in future.

“We will be putting in place a more stringent triaging process to make sure only the most serious cases are taken forward in future – where there is a clear risk of harm or disorder.”

Sir Mark Rowley (left) has waded into the controversy surrounding online posts by Graham Linehan (right). File pic: PA
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Sir Mark Rowley (left) has waded into the controversy surrounding online posts by Graham Linehan (right). File pic: PA

It comes hours after health secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News the government needs to look at whether police are “getting the balance right”.

Linehan, who also created the Black Books and The IT Crowd comedies, said on Tuesday he was arrested at Heathrow Airport over posts on X sharing his views on trans rights.

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The health secretary told Sky News Breakfast with Wilfred Frost that he can’t comment on the specifics of the case, as operational police decisions are “rightly independent of politicians”.

However, Mr Streeting said more generally that the government would rather see “police on the streets rather than policing tweets”.

The cabinet member added: “It’s the easiest thing in the world for people to criticise the police, but they are enforcing laws that parliament has passed and asked them to enforce.

“So if we haven’t got the balance right, as Parliament over successive governments, that is something that we need to look at because the Home Secretary is very clear about what her priorities are”.

He said that those priorities are neighbourhood policing and keeping borders safe.

Writing on Substack, Lineham said that after flying into the UK from Arizona, he was detained by five armed officers at Heathrow Airport and put in a cell before being questioned over posts published on X in April.

He added that officials became concerned for his health after taking his blood pressure, and he was taken to hospital.

The arrest has drawn criticism from opposition politicians.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the incident was “ridiculous and a complete waste of police time”.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would raise the case when he gives evidence to the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on free speech in the UK during a hearing on Wednesday, The Sun reported.

Nigel Farage will raise the case in Washington. Pic: PA
Image:
Nigel Farage will raise the case in Washington. Pic: PA

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Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has regularly shared her views on women’s rights in relation to transgender rights on social media, also waded into the row, posting on X: “What the f*** has the UK become? This is totalitarianism. Utterly deplorable.”

Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said it was an operational matter for the police when asked about the arrest yesterday.

He added: “The prime minister and the home secretary have been clear about where their priorities for crime and policing are, and that’s tackling anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, street crime, as well as reducing serious violent crimes like knife crime and violence against women”.

Asked whether the government agreed with the Harry Potter author’s claim that the UK was now a “totalitarian” state, the spokesman said: “No.”

A Met Police spokeswoman confirmed an arrest was made at Heathrow Airport on Monday, but did not identify Linehan.

In a statement, the force said: “On Monday, 1 September at 1pm officers arrested a man at Heathrow Airport after he arrived on an inbound American Airlines flight.

“The man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence. This is in relation to posts on X.

“After being taken to police custody, officers became concerned for his health and he was taken to hospital. His condition is neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

“He has now been bailed pending further investigation.”

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