American military chiefs moved fuel tanker jets from a British base after an Iranian threat, it has emerged. Officials believe the threat was credible, and the security level at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath has been upgraded, according to reports in the US.
Downing Street insisted British air bases are safe and their security is a “top priority” after the US aircraft were moved from RAF Mildenhall. Critics warned the latest security scare – following the alleged bomb plot targeting RAF Fairford, which is believed to have been orchestrated by Iranian intelligence – has put Britain’s special relationship with America at risk.
US tankers diverted from UK base
Several American refuelling tankers were diverted from the site to Germany, while others landed in Spain and Scotland. In one episode, a tanker spent two hours in a holding pattern in Germany before returning to England and turning around again.
The security level at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath has been upgraded to FPCON Charlie, the Pentagon’s level for intelligence suggesting a form of terrorist action is likely.
Political backlash
Shadow Defence Minister Mark Francois said: “Britain’s national security is under threat. Our adversaries are testing our resolve, our military infrastructure, and our relationships with our closest allies.
“Yet Labour is showing weakness when Britain needs strength. And Burnham’s refusal to wake up to the threats we face is putting us in danger.
“Burnham must reflect on why the United States felt they could no longer rely on British bases and ask himself whether his refusal to cut welfare spending is worth putting our relationship with our closest allies, and our country, at risk.”
Shadow Foreign Minister Alicia Kearns said: “Labour cannot keep putting their heads in the sand. Iran continues to threaten Britain, hack our companies, and radicalise our citizens, yet this government responds with handshakes.
“Until Burnham grows a backbone and takes defence seriously, our allies won't trust us.
“Words mean nothing without real action.
“Labour must answer a simple question. Did they warn our allies of an impending attack or do America no longer think UK military bases are safe?”
Government response and MI5 warning
Asked what contact had been made with the US about the safety of their planes, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “As you know, the US is one of our top security partners.
“We’re in constant communication with them, sharing intelligence and accessing threats together.
“Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements.”
The official added: “The protection of our bases, both in the UK and across the world, is a top priority.” Asked whether the Government maintained that British bases were safe, he said: “Yes.”
The incident comes after the head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, warned Iran is targeting military bases in the UK. Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain beyond the traditional targets of Iranians opposed to the country’s Islamic authorities, including arson and sabotage attacks on Jewish sites that Britain says were carried out by Iranian proxies.
Sir Ken said another “major shift this year has been Iranian ambitions to come at harder targets, like military sites.” The incident at RAF Fairford “is not unique. There have been other examples, not just in the U.K. but around the world,” McCallum said.
