A break-in at RAF Brize Norton by pro-Palestine activists has sparked widespread fury. Two members of the Palestine Action campaign group breached the Oxfordshire base’s perimeter overnight and went on to damage a pair of Airbus Voyager planes by spraying red paint into their engines. The Ministry of Defence has led condemnation of the vandalism, insisting it is in everyone’s interest to support “those who defend us”.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, told the Express: “After the recent tragic loss of the Air India 787, any attempt to interfere with the engines of a large aircraft, particularly one which might ferry troops and their families or be involved in vital air-to-air refuelling missions, is totally reprehensible. There are also serious questions for the MoD to answer about how ‘protesters’ – who might even have turned out to be armed terrorists – were able to gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase.”
Video posted on social media by Palestine Action shows two activists on e-scooters riding up to the aircraft before the footage cuts to one of the pair using a re-purposed fire extinguisher to spray the paint into an engine.
Palestine Action said it targeted RAF Brize Norton because it believes aircraft leave the base daily for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from where it claimed surveillance operations are carried out over Gaza to support Israel’s war on Hamas.
The group claimed that by putting the two planes “out of service”, its activists had “interrupted” UK involvement in the operations in the Strip.
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.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson strongly condemned the vandalism of Royal Air Force “assets” and said the MoD is working closely with police as officers investigate.
They added: “Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
The security breach at RAF Brize Norton sparked anger on social media and raised questions as to how activists were able to get past security.
Military blogger, Gabriele Molinelli, described what happened as a “monumental failure” in security. He said one of the two Voyagers was Vespina, which he said doubles up as a long-range transport for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and members of the Royal Family.
Mr Molinelli also said: “It’s, with due proportions, a bit like getting to the US Air Force One entirely unopposed. Wake the f*** up, this could have ended horribly.”
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty said the breach was “absolutely staggering”. The former British Army officer added: “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.”
Sir Keir Starmer said the “act of vandalism” at RAF Brize Norton was “disgraceful”, and added on X: “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.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said the force received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. They added: “An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. Enquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.”