UK Reform

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has personally assured Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, that RAF Akrotiri, a British base on Cyprus previously hit by a drone, will not be used by the United States to launch retaliatory strikes against Iranian missile sites. The phone call on Saturday came just hours after it is claimed that Iran launched an unprecedented intermediate-range ballistic missile attack on the joint US-UK Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. During the call, Sir Keir underscored that while Britain continues its agreement with the US for collective self-defence in the region, including degrading Iranian missile capabilities, RAF Akrotiri would not be involved. The Prime Minister also emphasised the UK's commitment to the security of Cyprus as a close partner. The assurance follows an urgent plea from President Christodoulides during the call on Saturday, where he urged Sir Keir to open discussions regarding the future of British bases on the island, signalli...