Richard Tice has blasted Angela Rayner after the Deputy Prime Minister claimed his criticism of the Brize Norton group captain was "worse" than the Palestine Action attack. At PMQs Labour MP Calvin Bailey rose to slam Mr Tice's criticism of Group Captain Louise Henton OBE following the break-in last week.

Mr Bailey fumed: "In Armed Forces Week, will the DPM join with me in paying tribute to my former colleagues at RAF Brize Norton. I know she will share my horror that some on the opposition benches responded to that appalling attack on that base not by recognising the consequences of 14 years of Conservative under-investment in our defence, but by personally smearing one of our brave members of the Royal Air Force." He claimed that Mr Tice's criticism "brings disgrace upon him and his party".

In response Angela Rayner agreed and went further, adding: "The attack on RAF Brize Norton was disgraceful, but what was even more disgraceful is Reform blaming the commanding officer and accomplished woman who has served her country, rather than the criminals that were responsible."

"That's not leadership, Mr Speaker, but we shouldn't expect anything better from the party of the Putin apologists."

The day after the attack, Mr Tice posted a screenshot of Ms Henton's profile to his X account, captioned: "Kept safe & secure by an HR manager.... Well done folks....".

Group Captain Louise Henton joined the RAF in 2001, and took command of the airfield in July last year.

Her RAF biography states she has completed command and staff appointments in personnel, media, recruitment, programmes and plans, and human resources.

While Mr Tice was not given the opportunity to respond to Labour's attacks at PMQs, he told the Express afterwards: "Labour are terrified of Reform and are flailing around in desperation."

"What they have revealed is Labour do not believe in responsibility and holding people accountable when things go badly wrong."

IN a statement in the Commons today, Defence minister Luke Pollard outlined that new enhanced security measures across "the whole of defence" have been put in place since Friday's attack.

"RAF patrols have increased, physical security has been improved at the suspected point of entry at Brize Norton, and the Defence Secretary has ordered that a full security review be conducted at pace, not only at Brize but across the defence estate."

It's estimated that the damage from Palestine Action to two RAF planes last week could cost at least £30 million to repair, with fears that one engine may need replacing entirely.

Following the attack, Yvette Cooper outlined plans to add PA to the official list of terror groups in the UK, making it illegal to support them.