A UK minister has assured that British lives were not endangered by a significant US security breach. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard told MPs he had “high confidence” that the UK’s operational security remains intact despite the incident.
The breach occurred when a US journalist was mistakenly added to a confidential group chat where senior US officials were discussing plans for an airstrike on Yemen’s Houthi group. Although the UK did not take part in the US-led strikes on 15 March, it did provide routine air-to-air refueling support.
When questioned about the use of the Signal messaging app for these discussions and whether UK personnel were put at risk, Pollard dismissed concerns, stating that standard security measures remain in place. He emphasized that the UK has robust protocols for protecting military operations and intelligence-sharing with allies, including the US.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister reinforced the strong relationship between the UK and US, affirming that intelligence-sharing would continue as it has for decades through secure networks. When asked about reported remarks from senior US officials criticizing European reliance on American military support, she refrained from interpreting their intent but reiterated the close cooperation between both nations on global security matters.
In contrast, a UK opposition leader expressed concerns over the US administration’s handling of sensitive information, warning that such breaches could eventually compromise British intelligence. He urged the government to urgently reassess its intelligence-sharing agreements to prevent potential risks to national security.
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