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Defence secretary quizzed by MPs over timing of Russian oil tanker seizure
UK NewsPolitics•June 15, 2026 at 8:29 PMNational

Defence secretary quizzed by MPs over timing of Russian oil tanker seizure

By Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor•The Guardian - UK News

Dan Jarvis says vessel tracked for several days as opposition suggest decision linked to his predecessor’s resignationDan Jarvis has told MPs that the Russian oil tanker seized on Sunday had been monitored for several days as he deflected suggestions that its seizure had been ordered by a prime minister under pressure after the resignation of John Healey last week.The new defence secretary, flanked supportively in the Commons by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Smyrtos had been “closely tracked” as he faced a question from the Conservatives as to why the capture took place over the weekend. Continue reading...

Dan Jarvis says vessel tracked for several days as opposition suggest decision linked to his predecessor’s resignation

Dan Jarvis has told MPs that the Russian oil tanker seized on Sunday had been monitored for several days as he deflected suggestions that its seizure had been ordered by a prime minister under pressure after the resignation of John Healey last week.

The new defence secretary, flanked supportively in the Commons by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Smyrtos had been “closely tracked” as he faced a question from the Conservatives as to why the capture took place over the weekend.

Continue reading...