Fury as British soldiers BANNED from flying drones over people in training due to health and safety rules
The strict regulations mean troops may be ill-prepared for modern warfare, experts have warned.
Advertisement
Soldiers training on
Troops had to file multiple requests just to fly a drone over an empty tank, soldiers told the House of Commons.
Soldiers gearing up for possible conflict with Russia are also barred from using signal jammers or practising other electronic warfare in case they breach data collection rules by intercepting information or set off local residents' devices.
Defence chiefs insist the rules are there to protect people.
Advertisement
Read More on UK News
But MPs say the red tape is actually putting lives at risk.
Labour MP Fred Thomas told the Financial Times: 'British soldiers who are deploying as part of a deterrence force to places like Estonia and eastern Europe are going without the kind of training and capability that is completely bog-standard in warfare now, whether it is in the Middle East or Ukraine.'
Ukraine says drones account for up to
The Ministry of Defence admitted there are restrictions, but claimed data rules are not directly stopping training.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Exclusive
1
Soldiers have been banned from flying drones over people during training due to health and safety rules
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
5 hours ago
- The Journal
Scottish party to force Palestine recognition vote as UK government faces pressure on Gaza
THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL Party (SNP) is threatening to bring the fight over Palestinian statehood to Parliament in the UK, aiming to corner Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the issue. Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader, said he would table a 'Palestine Recognition Bill' in the Commons when UK parliament returns from recess unless the Prime Minister changes his position. It comes after 221 MPs – the majority Labour, along with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Independents – signed a letter calling on the Government to take the step. Starmer has faced mounting pressure after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, amid global anger at starvation in Gaza. The SNP said it would table the Bill to coincide with the gathering of world leaders, and Flynn said the Government could not 'stand idly by in the face of what is happening'. The UK Prime Minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood, but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. Advertisement 'Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary,' Flynn said. Stephen Flynn said the Government could not 'stand idly by'. PA PA He added: 'Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now.' Close attention will be paid to how any potential vote plays out, after the Uk parliament descended into chaos last February when the SNP used one of its Opposition Day Debates to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Labour, then the official opposition, responded by tabling an amendment to the motion with different wording, and the then-Tory government put forward a separate one calling for an 'immediate humanitarian pause'. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came under fire at the time for breaking with convention to select both the Labour and Government, which he said was to give MPs the 'widest range' of options to consider. The SNP said they were being denied an opportunity to have a vote on their motion, which was originally meant to be the focus of the debate, and the Speaker later apologised.
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Scottish National Party to 'force a vote' on recognising State of Palestine
The Scottish National Party has threatened to bring forward legislation on recognising Palestinian statehood and "force a vote" if UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move. The party, which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a "Palestine Recognition Bill" when the UK parliament returns after its summer recess if Mr Starmer did not change his position. The prime minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East. The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Mr Starmer's ruling Labour party, demanded Friday that the UK government follow France and recognise a Palestinian state. The call, in a letter signed by lawmakers from nine UK political parties, came less than 24 hours after French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country would formally do so at a UN meeting in September. "Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary," said Stephen Flynn, SNP's leader in the UK parliament. "Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now," he added. If France formally recognises a Palestinian state it would be the first G7 country - and the most powerful European nation to date - to make the move. Mr Starmer has come under rising domestic and international pressure over recognising Palestinian statehood, as opposition intensifies to the ongoing war in Gaza amid fears of mass starvation there. The UK leader yesterday spoke to his French and German counterparts and outlined UK plans to airdrop aid to people in Gaza and evacuate sick and injured children, his office said. The SNP holds nine seats in the 650-seat UK parliament.
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Trump's Scottish getaway: Trade talks, golfing and protests
It was supposed to be a golfing trip with a bit of light business scattered throughout. Instead, US President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland has taken on a new significance, with the small village of Turnberry potentially the backdrop for a trade agreement between the EU and US. According to officials in the European Commission, this is being treated as a "president-to-president" negotiating session. It is not a signed, sealed, delivered photo-op. "There is optimism but no certainty that a deal will be reached," they explained. And so it seems that Turnberry is the place where both leaders will seek to overcome those final hurdles. Some may raise an eyebrow that the meeting takes place, not in the US or in an EU country, but rather in the UK which voted to leave the European bloc. But time is of the essence with a deadline approaching, and it gives both leaders a chance to meet and secure a deal that would avert increased tariffs on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr Trump has managed to focus much of the world's attention on Turnberry. As well as his meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, he is also holding bilateral sessions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney. Trade, Gaza and Ukraine are all expected to be talking points when he meets both men. Much of the UK's attention will be on whether Mr Starmer can secure a commitment to reduce 25% tariffs on British steel, but also whether he can reduce 10% baseline tariffs. There will also be focus on what is said on Gaza, with growing outrage around the humanitarian crisis there. Over 200 MPs signed a cross-party letter on Friday, demanding that the British Prime Minister recognise the state of Palestine. Mr Trump's Turnberry visit will be remembered for many reasons. Turnberry welcome In the seaside village of Turnberry there is bemusement among locals that they have found themselves at the centre of much of the world's gaze. The reception President Trump has received is similar to the one he was greeted with in Doonbeg County Clare in 2019, where many welcomed a man who had brought job opportunities to the area. It is an investment not to be sniffed at according to people like councillor Alec Clark, the deputy leader of South Ayrshire Council. The independent councillor, who also holds the Tourism and Culture portfolio in the council, told us this week that Trump Turnberry employs around 400 people. Mr Trump bought the resort in 2014. His election as president in 2016 only served to boost the profile of the hotel and surrounding area. Opposition exists however. One elderly woman was clear that he was a man "totally at odds" with the people of Scotland. "I don't think we should entertain him at all. I don't think people like that are welcome in Scotland at all," she explained. Scottish Protests This weekend's visit has been described as semi-private. As a result the president's schedule during the visit is being decided and guarded by the White House. It has made the organising of protests somewhat difficult for those eager to showcase their opposition to his presence, as they cannot be sure where he will be each day. Nevertheless, people protesting under the banner "Stop Trump Coalition" made their voices heard yesterday during simultaneous demonstrations in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Jack Nevin, organiser of the Edinburgh protest, explained that the gathering outside the US Consulate was not just to convey a message that Mr Trump is not welcome in Scotland, but also to showcase opposition to his policies, including in relation to Gaza. "It's a protest of Trumpism, and it's a rejection of the politics of hate, division and fear, which is propagating in the United States and throughout the world," he said. A "Festival of Opposition" has been promised for Aberdeen where Mr Trump's son Eric is expected to cut the ribbon on a second course at the family's golfing resort. It will be named after the US President's Gaelic speaking mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who grew up in the outer Hebrides. Deal or no deal The main takeaway from this presidential visit is likely to be whether the European Commission President leaves with a deal or without one. Either outcome will have consequences for both the US and EU. Should a deal not be reached, tariffs will increase to 30% on EU goods. Europe has promised retaliatory measures on €93 billion of US goods too. Ms von der Leyen's decision to travel to Scotland is being taken as an indication that she is confident that it will be worth her while. She landed in Glasgow last night and will make her way to Turnberry today. European Trade Commissioner Maros Saefcovic is due to land today and will join her for the meeting. Senior officials in the European Commission this weekend said that there was a feeling that talks had advanced to a point where leaders could meet and make final concessions. And so all eyes will be on Turnberry, to see whether it is a deal or no deal.
