Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Lord Polak Excerpts

Monday 26th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for mentioning the impact that these terrible attacks are having on Saudi Arabia. As she knows, we strongly condemn them, hence our provision of support. Clearly, wider diplomatic actions are being led more by the FCDO than by the MoD, but officials on both sides are talking to allies in the region and, of course, the United States and other countries that are concerned that that action continues. I can confirm that the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff spoke to their Saudi counterparts within days.

[Lord Polak (Con)]

My Lords, once again the Iranians are causing havoc and supporting the Houthis. It is heartening that we are supporting Saudi Arabia in this, but surely we can do something here at home and proscribe the Houthis.

[Baroness Antrobus (Lab)]

We keep the list of proscribed organisations under review. It is the Government’s long-standing position not to comment on whether or not a specific organisation is being considered for proscription. Decisions to proscribe are taken only after a rigorous process, in close consultation with operational partners, based on the best available intelligence and a careful assessment against the statutory tests set out in the Terrorism Act 2000.