The MoD said the preparedness of HMS Prince of Wales is being increased, reducing the time it would take for it be deployed

The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East, reducing the time it would take to be readied.

This does not mean that Portsmouth-based HMS Prince of Wales, which is used to carry fighter jets and helicopters, will be sent into the Gulf as conflict escalates in the region, but the preparedness of the Royal Navy’s flagship is being increased, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The Independent understands no decisions to deploy the Prince of Wales have been taken.

An MoD spokesperson told The Independent: “We have been bolstering our UK military presence in the Middle East since January, and we have already deployed capabilities to protect British people and our allies in the region, including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems and an extra 400 personnel into Cyprus.

  • redsand
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    5 hours ago

    Because Epstein and Maxwell operated extensively in the UK and anyone who thinks it was only Andrew and a diplomat are woefully naive