Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

John Whittingdale Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Bailey]

I thank my hon. Friend for his remarks and his concern for Yemen. It is important that we remember the reason for these measures is to seek a ceasefire and allow the United Nations to provide humanitarian support to the people in Yemen. We do not comment on future measures, but we are considering all options. I can offer my hon. Friend a meeting with the Minister of State in the FCDO, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty).

[Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)]

I support the deployment of British forces in support of our Saudi Arabian allies, but, as has become clear, the distinction between “offensive” and “defensive” support is pretty fuzzy at best. Can the Minister say what assessment has been made of the possible increased threat to British nationals in the region, both civilian and military, and what is being done to meet that threat?

[Mr Bailey]

Advice to those British nationals in the region is issued by the FCDO, and I urge all those deployed within the region to pay attention to consular announcements. The terms “offensive” and “defensive” are very well-known doctrines of military operation, so when I use the language “defensive counter air”, that is entirely what is meant by it. Unless anyone wants to rewrite doctrine, which I would take great pleasure in contributing to, that remains what we have deployed and how we intend to deliver our military capabilities.