19 December 2023 , 15:20
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British warships were patrolling the Red Sea today as Rishi Sunak accused “malign actors” of targeting free trade and shipping.
The Royal Navy’s Type 23, Duke-class frigate HMS Lancaster and Type 45, Daring-class destroyer HMS Diamond were sailing up and down the waterway as part of an international coalition to protect merchant vessels. Assaults on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have forced major shipping companies, as well as the oil and gas giant BP, to suspend trade through the vital waterway. The US and allies, including the UK and France, have launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the threat.
Speaking to the Commons Liaison Committee of senior MPs today, Mr Sunak warned the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea was "deeply concerning". As a maritime nation, we've always believed very strongly in free and open shipping lanes - that is now being threatened by malign actors,” he said. "It's just further evidence that the international picture is both complex and more challenging and previously we, I think, may have taken many of these things for granted. It's clear that we can't and we need to invest in our defence capability and strengthen our alliances to keep everyone at home safe and protect our economy too."
Earlier the PM told the Cabinet that "malign actors were seeking to exploit the situation in the Middle East for their own ends". He added: “This had led to several companies suspending passage through the area.” Mr Sunak’s spokesman said the PM told top ministers “the UK has always stepped up to protect free trade and HMS Diamond and HMS Lancaster were in the region to provide necessary deterrence”.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the UK had joined the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition, “and would continue to discuss joint efforts to deter attacks and mitigate any impact on consumers”. The PM’s spokesman insisted the Government was "clear eyed" about Iran's activities in the Middle East.
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"These are Iran-backed rebels and we know that Iran is actively seeking to undermine stability in the region," he said. "We are clear eyed about that and that's why we are acting alongside our allies to provide the necessary deterrence to protect commercial shipping." Asked what the PM's message to Tehran would be, the spokesman added: "The message is clear through this taskforce and the capabilities it provides."
Downing Street suggested Beijing should also seek to protect shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. "It's in everyone's interests, including China obviously, to protect commercial shipping,” said the PM’s spokesman. "We do significant trade with China, as does the US and it's important that these trade routes are protected."