UK was ‘absolutely willing’ to support US in seizing Russian tanker – minister

The UK was “absolutely willing to step up” and support a US operation to seize a Russian flagged tanker in the North Atlantic, a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet has said, adding that doing so was in “our national interest”.

Douglas Alexander said the ship was “part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine”.

He insisted it is “right and reasonable” that the UK works with its international allies – such as the US – to tackle Russian attempts at sanction busting, used to help fund the conflict in Ukraine.

The Scottish Secretary was speaking less than 24 hours after RAF surveillance aircraft and a naval supply ship, RFA Tideforce, provided assistance to the operation to capture the Marinera in the Atlantic on Wednesday following a request from the US.

As part of the operation, US special operations aircraft landed at Wick John O’Groats airport in the Scottish Highlands before flying further north.

But no British personnel took part in the boarding of the vessel, Defence Secretary John Healey stressed to MPs on Wednesday evening.

The Venezuelan-linked vessel, previously known as the Bella 1, was seized as it travelled north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland.

Following the operation, the US military’s European Command posted on social media thanking the UK for its “unwavering support” in the operation.

Speaking about the operation on Thursday, Mr Alexander told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme the ship was designated a stateless vessel under international law, and it had turned off its transponders.

“This ship is part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia’s war effort in Ukraine,” the minister said.

“As a UK Government and as the United Kingdom, our national interest is served by avoiding the illegal fuelling of terrorism, of conflict and of misery, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or anywhere else.

“So when we were asked by the United States to provide operation assistance, including basing an air surveillance support, we were absolutely willing to step up.

“I think it is right and reasonable we work with our allies to confront the attempt to sanction bust that we are witnessing from the Russians on a regular basis.”

He said authorities in the UK and elsewhere “continue to look to how we can close down those channels of financing that are funding Putin’s war machine”.

He added: “What we saw in the North Atlantic yesterday was just one of the practical actions being taken.”

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, also discussed the tanker seizure with journalists as he visited the Children First helpline’s offices in Edinburgh.

He said he agreed with the enforcement of sanctions but said his government must be “fully sighted” on interventions around Scotland’s waters.

Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government was not involved in the operation to seize the Bella-1, and that it related “entirely to reserved functions”.

Arrangements for US military aircraft to land at Wick Airport had been made some weeks ago, he said, but the Scottish Government was not informed of the details of the operation.

Mr Swinney said: “I think it’s important that there is the very closest of a dialogue about issues of a geopolitical nature about issues that could have an impact on the security of Scotland.”

He continued: “I think it’s a matter of importance that the Scottish Government is fully sighted on what measures and interventions are happening in and around our waters, and that’s a point that has been made to the United Kingdom Government.”

The First Minister said he had no details on whether the tanker could arrive in Scotland in order to refuel.

Speaking to journalists in Holyrood later, the First Minister said he thought it was “unlikely” the aircraft at Wick were used in the seizure, as the bookings had been made in December.