Defence Secretary Healey Condemns MPs for 'Unpatriotic' Actions Against UK-US Alliance
In a stark rebuke from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Defence Secretary John Healey has accused opposition politicians of deliberately undermining the United Kingdom's relationship with former US President Donald Trump. He labelled such behaviour as "unpatriotic," asserting that MPs should not seek to turn the United States against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Healey Expresses Shock Over Political Interference
Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Healey revealed his dismay at how figures like Nigel Farage have attempted to "undermine" the UK-US alliance. This criticism comes amid ongoing tensions following Iranian drone strikes on RAF Akrotiri, which caused minimal damage but sparked diplomatic concerns.
The Conservatives and Reform UK have voiced disapproval over the British government's decision to restrict US use of UK bases for offensive strikes against Iranian targets. However, these bases remain available for defensive operations to protect UK interests and allies in the region from retaliatory attacks.
Broader Concerns Over Chagos Islands Deal
Healey highlighted that the issue extends beyond the Iran conflict, pointing to the Chagos Islands agreement. He noted that senior MPs, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Farage, have praised Trump for his opposition to the UK's Chagos plan, which the US president criticised during periods of frustration with British policies.
"For an elected British politician from the House of Commons, from Reform or from the Conservatives, to be going over to America ... calling on President Trump to disown the deal we'd agreed and worked through to protect for the next 100 years our sovereign base and ability to operate out of Diego Garcia – it is unpatriotic, it undermines Britain and it is not the sort of leadership that British people should expect from elected politicians," Healey stated emphatically.
He added that such actions appear intended to sabotage the British relationship with the US, describing them as unacceptable and contrary to public expectations of parliamentary representatives.
Diplomatic Fallout and Defence Reinforcements
British allies in the Gulf and Cyprus have expressed dissatisfaction with the UK's response to Iranian missile strikes, citing inadequate protection for the region and stranded citizens. Healey's visit to Cyprus aimed to address these concerns following the drone incident at RAF Akrotiri.
Cypriot officials, including High Commissioner Kyriacos Kouros, voiced disappointment over failures to warn the island of impending strikes. In response, Healey met with Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas to discuss enhanced air defences, with an additional 400 UK personnel deployed to support these efforts across British bases in Cyprus.
UK's Strategic Role in the Conflict
When questioned about confidence in the US's endgame strategy for the Iran conflict, Healey declined to comment directly, instead focusing on the UK's defensive priorities. "It's for the US to set out – our focus now, my focus as defence secretary – is making sure I do everything I can in a period where the Iranian threats and the Iranian strikes are increasingly indiscriminate [to] protect British people, military serving on bases like this to protect allies and protect this island," he explained.
He emphasised that the UK is leading a coordinated regional defensive operation, having preemptively strengthened air defences in Cyprus and Qatar. Recent announcements include deploying four more Typhoon fighter jets and two attack helicopters to the region, although a Royal Navy destroyer remains stationed in Portsmouth.
Healey rejected claims that the UK was underprepared for initial strikes or the scale of Iranian retaliation, asserting that the country is "playing the role that we can best play" without immediate plans for further escalation.
