RAF base 'much safer' after Palestine Action break-in

The incident on 20 June saw a group of protesters break into the air base and spray-paint two RAF Voyager planes

RAF Brize Norton is now "much safer" after pro-Palestinian activists broke into the base and caused £7m damage earlier this year, the defence secretary has said.

The incident on 20 June saw a group of protesters break into the air base and spray-paint two RAF Voyager planes.

John Healey said new technology and surveillance had since been installed at the Oxfordshire base, alongside the recruitment of more security guards.

He made the comments whilst on a visit to RAF Brize Norton to announce the UK's support for the Nato mission to bolster its eastern flank, following Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace last week.

Brize Norton is the is the base for the RAF's air-to-air refuelling tankers, which will be used in the Nato project.

"Brize is safe - it is a critical operational hub for our forces, and this is one of the bases from which the UK's contribution to Nato's new air policing on the eastern flank will be based," Healey said.

The air base was "now much safer" following the Palestine Action break-in, he added.

John Healey said RAF Brize Norton was now "much safer"

Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the incident, saying it was a protest against the UK's support of Israel's war in Gaza.

The government proscribed the group as a terrorist organisation soon after. Five people have been charged in connection with the incident.

Healey's reassurance that security measures at the base have been improved comes at it is set to play a key role in Nato's response after more than a dozen Russian drones entered Polish airspace.

"Within days, British fighter jets and an air-to air-tanker will be part of Nato's new airspace mission to defend the eastern flank against the Russian incursions and actions, that have been so reckless, dangerous and unprecedented," he told the BBC.

"The message to Moscow is clear, Putin tested Nato, Nato responded with unity and the UK will play our full part."

"When we are threatened, we respond together."

Healey added that the announcement would see 400 UK personnel from Brize Norton and RAF Coningsby support the mission, alongside servicemen and women from Denmark, France and Germany.