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.

Israel-Iran live: Israel ‘being punished right now’, Iranian leader says

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.

Read more:
Starmer could allow Trump use of British bases to attack Iran
China says British warship sailed through Taiwan Strait to ’cause trouble’

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.

Sir Keir Starmer could end up allowing Donald Trump to use British bases to launch strikes on Iran, Harriet Harman has said.

Speaking to Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harman said this was despite the prime minister being part of a generation “shaped” by opposition to the Iraq War.

👉Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app👈

Baroness Harman was solicitor general when Sir Tony Blair decided to take Britain to war in Iraq alongside the United States in 2003.

She said the decisions made by Sir Tony would be “burning bright” in Sir Keir‘s mind.

“He’s part of the political generation of the Labour Party that grew up, which was shaped by its opposition to what Tony Blair was doing in relation to Iraq,” Baroness Harman said.

“So it would be a massive change for him.”

Asked if the UK could end up giving permission for US aircraft to use British military bases on Cyprus and Diego Garcia, but not go any further than that, Baroness Harman said: “Exactly”.

Read more:
‘Questions’ on legality of Israel’s actions in Iran
Donald Trump ‘may or may not’ strike Iran

Sky News reported on Thursday that Attorney General Richard Hermer has raised questions over whether Israel’s actions in Iran are lawful, potentially limiting what support he believes the UK could offer the US.

Baroness Harman said that for Sir Keir, the “rules-based international order is the most important thing”.

“If the attorney general says that the government can’t do something because it’s illegal, it can’t do it. So he’s in a very crucial position,” she added.

But Baroness Harman said it would be difficult for Sir Keir to say “thank you for the trade deal” to Mr Trump and then deny the president use of the airbases.

👉Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app👈

Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!