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The activists, who are connected to Palestine Action, uploaded footage to social media that appears to show them entering the base at night, with one driving a scooter up to a jet and spraying paint into its engine.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the act of vandalism a “disgraceful act of vandalism” and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it would be conducting a full security review in the wake of the attack. The MoD also told Mail Online that Thames Valley Police are heading up a criminal investigation into the lapse, which could result in somebody being arrested.
Debate Over National Security Sparked by Red Paint Protest
Palestine Action claimed responsibility, posting a picture of themselves half leaping, half climbing over the fence and writing that they had taken the aircraft “out of service” using fire extinguishers and crowbars salvaged and repurposed from skips. RAF engineers are currently examining the damage, but defence sources say the incident is not though to be affecting military operations. It is worth mentioning that the Vespina aircraft, which the prime minister travels in, has not been hit.
The group has targeted US military hardware with similar actions in the past, including spraying a US military plane in Ireland in May. The two activists also accused the UK of ongoing indirect cooperation with Israeli military activities, despite public condemnations, with the UK being alleged to contribute to logistics, intelligence, and refueling.
RAF Brize Norton is a key base for UK air refueling and strategic transport, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for missions across Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and the Red Sea. The MoD said that " RAF Voyagers have never enabled or supported Israeli aircraft and they operate exclusively in the air-to-air refueling and air transport roles" - and they have operated against ISIS and the Houthi rebels.
Politicians Call for Accountability and Reform
The break-in was widely criticized and spanned the political spectrum. Lord West, a former Royal Navy head, said it was “extremely worrying,” Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, described it as "politically motivated criminality" and said there should be no “compromise” with "terrorist or extremist groups."
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois called for those responsible to be held to account, insisting there were “serious questions for the MoD to answer” regarding the breach of what should have been a highly secure facility.
The Local MP Charlie Maynard said the stunt was “stupid and dangerous” and more needs to be done to prevent people from breaking in. Featuring fake IDs, red paint and unfettered access to one of the RAF’s largest bases, the incident has reignited discussions on base security, the limits of protest and national defence protocols.
