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.
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.
Is this a non-violent protest? Surely this is terrorism or sabotage?
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.
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.
They also could have easily been standby aircraft to support QRA at short notice.
Got rid of JSO though didn’t it.
Charge them under the 1842 Treason Act.
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.
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!!
Not the first time activists have used paint at Brize.
It must be such a hard life, being so triggered by paint that’s not impacting you in any way, shape or form.
What a sad little life that must be.
If those ebikes are the station ebikes used to get around the place - that’d be like a double whammy!!!
If I understand correctly, this was a protest against the UK being directly involved in the Gaza conflict (which it isn’t, anyhow) but may lead to the aircraft not being available to support Ukrainian refuelling missions in Eastern Europe. Meaning the only potential winner from this action is Russia.
I’ve no issue against peaceful protest - it’s a key part of a democratic society - but I do wish some protestors would think their actions through before committing to them.
Nah, they wouldn’t have done that - not signed the relevant orders, riding at speed near parked aircraft contrary to ramp safety instructions, failure to wear a reflective belt, didn’t complete a test ride under supervision, failure to do a “before journey” scooter inspection, tsk tsk!!