Wow this looks really really bad for RAFP and RAF Regt. It appears that Palestine Action snuck into the base, damaged two aircraft and escaped completely undetected. Imagine it wasn’t paint but explosives or fire?
That’s a big yikes.
I wonder if this will lead to a massive increase in direct patrols and bodies on the ground around certain bases?
And a lack of personal due to outsourcing and contractorisation will probably means the reserves being mobilised as base defence.
RIAT?
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it looks bad for the engines too…paint sprayed into them, even at the exhaust end is going to cause the aircraft to be grounded until the engine is swapped out so it can be inspected fully i would have thought?
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Your honour, my clients were penetration testers working pro bono under the guise of activism. You should be thanking them for exposing these security flaws.
What is the legal status of an attack on
military hardware in support of a foreign entity?
I’d imagine a stiffer penalty than community service.
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Considering how stupidly harshly we’re punishing all non-violent protests these days, certainly
I assume they’d be looking at offences under the National Security Act?
There are sections in there about accessing areas used for defence, and sabotage.
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Is this a non-violent protest? Surely this is terrorism or sabotage?
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I think it could probably meet the threshold for terrorism.
They probably meet the damage property, and possibly endanger life, bits. And it certainly was to influence the Government.
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And damaging 2 aircraft that could quite plausibly be needed for evacuation of civilians if the situation worsens, or to refuel others carrying out that task.
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They also could have easily been standby aircraft to support QRA at short notice.
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Got rid of JSO though didn’t it.
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Charge them under the 1842 Treason Act.
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Unfortunately no longer a capital offence, but if we’re leaving the ECHR anyway …
Im not sure how the 1842 treason act applies in this case? It seems to only be related to the protection of the person of the sovereign which an attack on RAF Aircraft is many offences (including potential other treasons Acts if done in support of a foreign power) (general reminder you don’t need to be British to be done for treason) but doesn’t seem to be covered by that act.
I suspect that the Station Commander Brize Norton and OC 1 Group had a very difficult one-sided conversation this morning.
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I suspect that there will be “strong direction” to other bases where there are significant assets at potential risk. Ah, the good old days of doing armed guard (as crew!) on your own Nimrod at St Mawgan during war games. I bet here will be a few air specialists joed for guarding - & I wonder where the RAFP were with their “brains on a chain?” 
Anyway, those e-scooters used by the intruders at Brize were most probably illegal civvie versions - hang 'em high!! 
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Not the first time activists have used paint at Brize.
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It must be such a hard life, being so triggered by paint that’s not impacting you in any way, shape or form.
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