Weapons including pistols, a deactivated World War I machine gun, and a rifle have gone missing from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the past two years, prompting calls for an urgent inquiry by the Liberal Democrats.
Additionally, more than 700 pieces of technology, including computers, laptops, phones, and USB drives, have been reported lost or stolen during the same period, raising serious concerns about the department’s handling of sensitive equipment.
Liberal Democrats Demand Action
Helen Maguire, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, criticised the government for its lapses, stating it is “more butterfingered than Goldfinger when it comes to national security.” She has called for an immediate inquiry into the matter.
Weapons Lost and Recovered
Parliamentary questions tabled by Maguire revealed startling losses:
In 2023, two deactivated Second World War weapons were reported missing, and a Glock 19 pistol was stolen.
An SA80 rifle, a standard weapon of the British Armed Forces, was lost but subsequently recovered.
A deactivated World War I machine gun was also lost and later retrieved.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasised that the MoD takes the security of firearms “very seriously” and that any losses or thefts are “fully and rigorously investigated.”
Technology Losses Surge in 2024
The number of lost or stolen devices surged in 2024, with 447 items reported missing, compared to 297 in 2023—a rise of over 50%.
- Computers: No computers were lost in 2023, but 25 went missing in 2024, with 11 of those incidents occurring in July.
- USB Drives: Losses skyrocketed from 20 in 2023 to 125 in 2024—an increase of over 500%.
- Phones: 101 phones were lost or stolen in 2023, increasing to 159 in 2024.
- Laptops: While 176 laptops were lost or stolen in 2023, this figure fell to 138 in 2024.
MoD Defends Its Policies
The MoD stated that it has “robust policies and procedures” to prevent such incidents, with personnel regularly reminded of their responsibilities to protect defence assets.
Defence procurement minister Maria Eagle assured that “proportionate security controls” are in place across devices.
Public Confidence at Risk
The revelation of missing firearms and sensitive devices has reignited concerns about the MoD’s ability to safeguard vital equipment.
With security breaches potentially threatening national safety, critics are urging the government to address these systemic failures urgently.
