Former Home Secretary calls for security probe of protest ‘sympathisers’ after Palestine Action damages military jets
FORMER Home Secretary Priti Patel has demanded urgent action against protesters waving Iranian flags at UK demonstrations — warning they could be enemy agents threatening national security.
In an explosive intervention, Patel called for security agencies to investigate anyone carrying Iranian propaganda at pro-Palestine marches, suggesting they could be on terror watch lists.
Her stark warning came just days after activists broke into Britain’s largest RAF base and damaged two military aircraft with paint and crowbars in what she branded an act by “Iranian proxies”.
The ex-Cabinet minister didn’t mince words about the gravity of the threat, telling viewers Iran’s “stated objective is to obliterate the only Jewish state in the world.
‘LOOK AT EVERYONE WITH IRANIAN FLAGS’
Speaking on GB News’s Camilla Tominey Show, Patel said: “It is right that the agencies look at everyone that are involved in these, not just protests, but those that are carrying the Iranian placards, the propaganda, basically defending the actions of Iran to ensure that they’re not on any watch list or a threat to our country.
She cited recent security incidents including events at RAF Brize Norton and Cyprus military bases, as well as arrests of what she termed “Iranian proxies” eight weeks ago who would face prosecution under terrorism legislation.
The former Home Secretary’s comments came after Saturday’s protests in London saw demonstrators waving both Palestinian and Iranian flags whilst marching from Russell Square to Whitehall.
Protesters chanted “Stop bombing Iran, stop bombing Gaza” and “Free Palestine“, with placards including “Hands off Iran” visible throughout the march.
RAF BASE ATTACK SPARKS FURY
Patel’s warnings proved prescient when, just days before her interview, two Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton — Britain’s largest air force base — and caused significant damage to military aircraft.
The activists used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards two RAF Voyager planes, spraying red paint into the turbine engines and inflicting further damage with crowbars.
Video footage showed the pair evading security and escaping “undetected” after the brazen attack on Friday morning.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “vandalism” as “disgraceful”, whilst Defence Secretary John Healey ordered an immediate investigation and security review at all UK military bases.
The incident has prompted Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to reportedly move to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation — a decision expected to be announced on Monday.
‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ WARNING
Patel emphasised the severity of Iran’s threat to Britain, stating: “We should be under no illusions whatsoever about the threat of Iran to us all. Yes, to Israel, Iran’s stated objective is to obliterate the only Jewish state in the world. It’s a country that yells out ‘death to America’, and has done so for many, many years.”
The former Home Secretary revealed she had reviewed numerous files on Iran during her tenure, describing the implications for UK security as serious and significant.
She added: “Also, as we saw not just yesterday, but Friday, even eight weeks ago, we see Iranian proxies operating in our own country. They’re a threat to our own national security.
Drawing on her experience in government, Patel warned that the threat isn’t just theoretical — it’s happening on British streets right now.
PALESTINE ACTION PROBE REVEALED
In a stunning revelation, Patel disclosed that she had personally initiated investigations into Palestine Action whilst serving as Home Secretary.
“I was the one that started the investigations into them. They were breaking into Israeli defence companies in our own country, they were participating in criminal activity on the streets of our country and on private property and premises,” she said.
The group recently broke into RAF Brize Norton on Friday, damaging two aircraft with red paint sprayed into turbine engines and crowbars.
Palestine Action claimed the aircraft were targeted because flights leave daily from the base to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which they allege is “a base used for military operations in Gaza and across the Middle East.
SECURITY BREACH SCANDAL
The ease with which activists penetrated one of Britain’s most secure military installations has sparked serious questions about defence security.
RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and aerial refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus — Britain’s largest air force base in the Middle East.
One senior RAF officer warned: “If activists can get this close with paint and crowbars, others with more hostile intent could too.”
The activists reportedly used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint — which they said symbolised Palestinian bloodshed — into the engines of two Airbus Voyagers worth millions of pounds each.
TERROR LAW CRACKDOWN
If Palestine Action is proscribed as expected, association with the group — either through membership, public support, or displaying its insignia — could result in up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Counter-terrorism police coordinating with Thames Valley officers have already made their first arrests, detaining two male suspects on Saturday morning.
The move would see Palestine Action join the ranks of proscribed groups such as National Action, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and the Wagner Group.
IRANIAN STUDENT’S FEARS
Not all those carrying Iranian flags at protests are necessarily hostile actors. A 31-year-old Iranian student attending Saturday’s march told AFP: “I’m worried about my country. I know the regime is not good but it’s still my country. I’m scared.”
But Patel’s warning suggests security services need to distinguish between genuine protesters and potential security threats.
Her call for investigations reflects growing concerns about foreign interference in British protests and the exploitation of legitimate demonstrations for hostile purposes.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The former Home Secretary’s intervention comes at a time of heightened tensions following Israeli strikes on Iran and US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Recent pro-Palestine demonstrations in London have seen protesters displaying Iranian flags alongside Palestinian ones, with tens of thousands marching through the capital on Saturday.
For Patel, the sight of Iranian flags on British streets isn’t just about free speech — it’s a potential national security nightmare requiring urgent action.
As she put it bluntly: “They’re a threat to our own national security.”
With Palestine Action potentially days away from being banned as a terrorist organisation and security reviews underway at all UK military bases, it seems the government is finally taking the threat seriously.
But for critics of Iran’s regime and defenders of Israel alike, the question remains: is it already too late?
