Headlines
UK Government Probes Leak From National Security Council
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 17, 2026
Quick Summary
Britain’s Government Security Group has launched a formal investigation into a leak regarding National Security Council discussions about U.S. plans to use British military bases in early March. The leak highlighted a cabinet split, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband leading ministers opposing pre‑em
UK investigates leak of information from meeting about U.S. base request
British Government Launches Inquiry into National Security Leak
Background of the Leak
LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - The British government on Tuesday opened an inquiry into how details of a top-secret national security meeting to discuss a U.S. request to use British military bases at the start of the Iran conflict were leaked to a journalist.
Initial U.S. Request and Government Response
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially blocked the U.S. from using the air base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England, before later allowing the U.S. to use the bases for "defensive" strikes against Iranian targets.
Division Among Senior Ministers
Senior ministers who attended a meeting of the National Security Council were divided over whether to grant the initial U.S. request, the Spectator magazine reported.
Starmer's Position and Ministerial Opposition
While Starmer was in favour of giving the U.S. permission to use the bases, there was opposition from his energy minister Ed Miliband and his finance minister Rachel Reeves, according to the report in the Spectator, which was then picked up by several media outlets.
Details of the Leak Inquiry
Antonia Romeo, the government's most senior official, said in a letter to an opposition party politician that the leak inquiry had started. She said leaks undermine Britain's relations with other countries, particularly the U.S.-led "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance.
The government "is conducting an inquiry into this unauthorised disclosure which draws on the full range of powers at their disposal," she wrote in the letter.
Asked for comment, a government spokesperson said: "We don't have anything to add to the letter for now."
International Reactions
U.S. President Trump's Response
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hit out at Starmer since the conflict with Iran started, complaining he was not doing enough to help him.
Comments on UK-U.S. Relations
On Monday, Trump said there were "some countries that greatly disappointed me" before he singled out Britain, which he said had once been considered "the Rolls-Royce of allies".
(Reporting by Sarah Young and Catarina Demony, Editing by Paul Sandle)
Key Takeaways
- •The Government Security Group is investigating a leak revealing that the U.S. sought to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for initial operations against Iran, a request opposed by Ed Miliband and other cabinet ministers. (wsws.org)
- •Energy Secretary Ed Miliband led a cabinet revolt against a proposal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey to grant advance approval for U.S. military use of British bases. (thejc.com)
- •Justice Secretary David Lammy called the leak “an absolute travesty” and former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman condemned such disclosures of National Security Council deliberations as “utterly dysfunctional and destructive.” (sfg.media)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about UK government probes leak from National Security Council
1What is the UK government probing?
The UK government is probing a leak from the National Security Council's discussions regarding the US potentially using British military bases.
2Who is involved in the National Security Council leak allegations?
The leak involves allegations that energy minister Ed Miliband led calls to stop the US from using British military bases for actions against Iran.
3Which government body opened the inquiry into the leak?
Britain's Government Security Group opened the inquiry into the National Security Council leak.
4What was the official response from the Cabinet Office?
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said they have nothing to add to the official letter regarding the leak.
5What international issue is referenced in the leaked discussions?
The discussions revolved around the US using British military bases for its initial action against Iran in early March.
