The UK’s defence secretary has demanded an apology from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch after she suggested British troops stationed at the UK’s military base in Cyprus were “just hanging around”.
Badenoch sparked controversy during a Friday morning broadcast when she urged Britain to take stronger action against Iran following its strikes near RAF Akrotiri. She argued that while the United States had been “mobilising” in the region for months, British jets in the Middle East were largely inactive.
“Our guys, our government, were just sitting there shrugging their shoulders,” the leader of the opposition said.
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During the exchange, presenter Charlie Stayt challenged the claim, noting the role of British forces in intercepting aerial threats.
“The evidence we have from the British government and the British military is they have been involved in shooting down missiles and drones,” he said.
“You have characterised what is already happening by the British military, by the RAF, as ‘just hanging around’.”
Badenoch responded: “What I have said is they are catching arrows. They need to catch the archer.”
Defence Secretary Criticises Kemi Badenoch Comments On RAF Akrotiri Operations
Defence Secretary John Healey strongly rejected Badenoch’s remarks, stating that British personnel stationed at the Cyprus base have been working continuously under difficult conditions.
Healey revealed he had been present at the base on Thursday and had witnessed the operations first-hand.
“I saw how our British forces are working round the clock, in the face of repeated air raid sirens, to protect British lives and British interests,” he said.
“And to suggest they’re ‘just hanging around’ to score political points insults the men and women of our Armed Forces. She should apologise and withdraw her comments.”
Iran Drone Strike Near RAF Akrotiri Raises Regional Tensions
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched a drone strike near the UK’s RAF base in Cyprus on Sunday.
The attack followed permission granted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for US forces to conduct limited and defensive strikes against Iran from two British military facilities.
While the UK has deployed additional personnel to the region to help protect British citizens, the prime minister has emphasised that Britain’s role remains defensive.
Starmer has also made clear that the UK will not join the offensive strikes being carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.
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