Member

Following a request from the US, I authorised the use of UK bases and the deployment of Royal Navy and RAF assets to support the operation, including airborne surveillance and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship ‘Tideforce’. This was a US operation. No UK personnel took part in the boarding. I can update the House that the operation is ongoing, but the ‘Bella 1’ is now under the control of US forces, who demonstrated immense courage and professionalism in dangerous and deteriorating Atlantic sea conditions.