Reform Treasurer Nick Candy Recounts Terrifying Dubai Missile Attack
Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has provided a harrowing firsthand account of the moment Iranian missiles and drones rained down on Dubai, describing how his luxury hotel violently shook during the devastating barrage. The billionaire property developer was staying on an upper floor of the Bulgari Resort in Jumeira Bay when the attack commenced.
"The Whole Building Shook": A Night of Terror in Dubai
"We heard a missile strike and felt the shake of it," Candy exclusively told the Daily Mail. "We heard the shudder and the whole building shook. The area is covered in police now." The 53-year-old initially remained calm as he observed missiles flying over beaches, but admitted the situation became "a bit more scary" when projectiles began landing and hitting nearby areas.
Just minutes before his hotel trembled, debris from a shot-down Iranian missile had smashed into City Walk, a luxury shopping district in downtown Dubai featuring approximately 60 high-end boutiques and shops. Online videos captured black smoke billowing over the commercial area following the impact.
Luxury Hotels Targeted in Unprecedented Attack
"In downtown Dubai, City Walk has just been hit by a missile that has been shot down but then landed," Candy explained. "This is all missiles being shot down and debris from those missiles falling over civilian areas. This is an area of Dubai where you have shopping, commercial properties, residential, restaurants. This is like a missile landing in Knightsbridge or Kensington in London."
The attack extended beyond City Walk to Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah, where the five-star Fairmont Hotel was struck by what appeared to be an Iranian suicide drone. Extraordinary social media footage showed the popular tourist destination engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. The Fairmont is located approximately twelve miles from Candy's Bulgari Resort location.
Chaos and Condemnation Following the Strikes
Terrified residents and tourists were filmed running for shelter as air raid sirens sounded across Dubai. Witnesses reported hearing at least three significant explosions over the city to Reuters journalists. According to the Dubai media office, four people sustained injuries in the attack, with witnesses observing ambulances rushing to affected scenes.
Candy strongly condemned both Iran for launching the attacks and the Labour government for not joining American and Israeli allies in military operations. "The fact that Keir Starmer wasn't willing to help is a disgrace," he stated. "It's a disgrace by Iran because they are effectively damaging countries that wouldn't allow Trump and America to use their air space. It's a total disgrace."
Travel Chaos and Unprecedented Scenes in Luxury Playground
The Reform treasurer, who shared several videos of Dubai strikes sent by friends, revealed he is preparing to leave the United Arab Emirates. However, his departure plans face potential disruption due to the closure of Dubai's two major airports: Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). This decision has created travel chaos, stranding thousands of British citizens across the Middle East amid escalating regional conflicts.
"This won't last long - there is no way Iran should be doing this," Candy asserted. "These people have nothing to do with it. I think it will be over very quickly."
The attacks have brought terror and disruption to one of the world's most luxurious destinations, with the Bulgari hotel where Candy stayed representing the epitome of opulence. The resort features a private marina with fifty berths for super yachts and is constructed on the man-made Jumeira Bay island, carved into a seahorse shape and connected to Dubai's central coastline by a three-hundred-meter bridge.
