UK operational security has not been compromised by a recent US communications breach involving plans for airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, according to UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard.
Pollard told MPs on the Commons Defence Committee that he had “high confidence” British forces remain protected and that routine safeguards are still in place, despite the inadvertent exposure of classified US military plans on the messaging app Signal. “All UK service personnel are covered by our normal approach to operational security,” he said.
The incident came to light after US officials accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a private Signal chat that revealed strike plans, including timing and targets, hours before US bombs hit Houthi targets on 15 March.
UK forces did not take part directly in the airstrikes but did provide air-to-air refuelling support to US aircraft during the operation.
Leak Involved High-Ranking US Officials
The Signal group chat reportedly included US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The messages revealed classified military plans, which Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, confirmed he had seen prior to the operation.
Though Signal is encrypted, it is not authorised for use in sharing classified materials. The leak sparked renewed scrutiny over US information security practices, especially among allies.
Pollard declined to comment on the US breach specifically but noted that the UK Ministry of Defence enforces strict protocols on how sensitive information is shared. “There would be a clear consequence and disciplinary process for anyone not following those procedures,” he said.
UK and US Defence Relations Remain Strong
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the UK-US defence relationship remains “as strong as it has ever been.” When asked if the UK should reconsider sharing intelligence with the US in light of the breach, she responded that secure intelligence-sharing has been in place for decades and will continue.
Rayner refused to speculate on leaked comments allegedly made by US Vice President Vance and Secretary Hegseth, who criticized European allies in the chat. “The Prime Minister remains in regular communication with the US President, and we continue to work productively with the United States,” she added.
Political Leaders Call for Intelligence-Sharing Review
However, not all UK political figures were reassured. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the incident a warning sign. “Trump’s White House can’t be trusted to maintain basic intelligence security,” he said. “It’s only a matter of time before British intelligence shared with the US could be compromised.”
Davey urged the UK government to launch a comprehensive review of its intelligence-sharing arrangements with Washington, warning that continued security lapses could endanger British lives.
Despite the political tension, President Donald Trump has denied knowledge of the breach, and the White House said he retains “utmost confidence” in his national security team.
