Lib Dems urge UK to review US intelligence sharing

The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns that British lives may be at risk following a security blunder by the White House. This incident involved a journalist being mistakenly included in a messaging group that discussed U.S. military plans for Yemen. Luke Pollard, the UK armed forces minister, assured MPs that the UK's security measures are still reliable. He stated that no British military personnel were endangered by the mistake. However, Pollard acknowledged that if a similar breach occurred in the UK, there would be disciplinary actions. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough review of intelligence sharing between the UK and the U.S. Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, criticized the current security strategy, saying it could result in leaks of vital intelligence. Some party members, like Mike Martin, expressed distrust in the reliability of U.S. intelligence. He emphasized the need for the UK to strengthen ties with European partners for collective defense. Concerns have also grown regarding intelligence sharing, especially following recent appointments within the U.S. intelligence community. Experts suggest there are currently no viable alternatives to the U.S.-UK intelligence relationship. Despite the recent breach, former UK ambassador Sir Kim Darroch believes the overall relationship remains crucial and will not be significantly affected.