Reform UK classifies Russia as the 'greatest threat' to Britain's national security

Reform UK has classified Russia as "the greatest immediate state threat" to the UK as Nigel Farage's party looks to tighten its defence policy.

A new national security review launched by the party accuses Vladimir Putin of "waging a hybrid war" against the UK, as Mr Farage insists he is "clear-eyed" about the threat from Moscow.

The party has come under fire in the past for its stance on Russia, after Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK Wales, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in jail over pro-Russian statements made in the European Parliament for cash.

Now, Reform's newly appointed armed forces spokesman, Angus MacIntyre, has pledged to work with "military, intelligence and diplomatic experts" to produce the review.

In the foreword to the review, Mr MacIntyre said: "In my service of 40 years in His Majesty’s Armed Forces, my career took me from the 17th/21st Lancers to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 3 Commando Brigade, the 5th Airborne Brigade and finally the RAF Regiment.

"I am proud to be conducting Reform’s landmark first National Security Review. The threats our country faces are stark, and I will never flinch from confronting them."

Mr Farage said: "Britain is heading towards defencelessness. Our armed forces have been gutted, our nuclear deterrent is creaking and our borders are wide open.

"The man charged with securing our defences has no military experience whatsoever. The Chancellor won’t even give him the resources our brave troops need to protect us either."

Mr Farage continued: "Unlike the old parties, we are clear-eyed about the threats from Russia, Iran, China and the rising threat from Islamist extremists.

"Unlike Andy Burnham, we’ll secure our borders and give our armed forces the funding they need now."

The Terms of Reference of the Security Review classifies Iran as the "largest state-sponsor of terrorism" and China as a "tyrannical regime bent on the domination of the world".

It states that Russia, China and Iran, taken together, represent "fundamental threats to the security of the West".

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One of those who welcomed the report was former Commanding Officer of the SAS, Richard Williams, who said: "This is the right approach.

"Start with the things we have to do - homeland defence, the Euro-Atlantic, national cohesion - and build from there. It's good to see a political party prepared to give a strong lead on national security"

Senior Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre at Oxford University Dr Rob Johnson said: "Reform UK are right to say that we can't go on like this. Few realise the seriousness of the threats we face to our infrastructure, our security, and the integrity of our political and social lives.

"The existing approach, and the system we have used, has failed. No more window dressing and reassuring platitudes.

"We need a fresh look, and we need the delivery of real reform. We need politicians who are prepared to make the tough choices and difficult changes Britain needs to keep us safe. This is an encouraging start."

Mr Farage has previously faced accusations of being sympathetic to Russia, which he has strongly denied.

In 2014, the then-UKIP leader, when asked which world leader he respected most, told GQ magazine: "As an operator, but not as a human being, I would say Putin."

Mr Farage has always insisted he was "wildly misquoted" in that interview, and pointed to more recent comments in which he backed shooting down Russian fighter jets that enter Nato airspace.

The party has also supported plans to freeze Russian assets to help Ukraine.

Responding to Reform's announcement, Labour 's Security Minister Luke Pollard said: "This Labour Government is clear about the threat posed by Putin and we've backed Ukraine with billions in weapons and capability as they fight for freedom everywhere.

"We're delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War to keep Britain safe now and in the future."