Pistols, a deactivated World War I machine gun and a rifle were among items lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the last two years. The Liberal Democrats are demanding an "urgent inquiry" after the missing firearms came to light. Data obtained by the party reveals more than 700 computers, laptops, phones, and USBs belonging to the department were also lost or stolen over the same period.
The party's defence spokesperson, Helen Maguire, said the government is "more butterfingered than Goldfinger when it comes to national security" as she called for an inquiry. The MoD said it takes the security of its equipment "very seriously", and it has "robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts".
Firearms losses and thefts 'fully investigated'. The data on the missing equipment was revealed to the Lib Dems in a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Ms Maguire. In 2023, two deactivated World War II weapons were lost, and a Glock 19 pistol was stolen.
An SA80 rifle - a type of weapon used by the British Armed Forces in almost all conflicts since its introduction in the early 1980s - was also lost and subsequently recovered, as was a deactivated World War I machine gun. Armed forces minister Luke Pollard insisted the security of firearms is "taken very seriously" by the MoD, and the department has "robust procedures in place to deter and prevent loss and theft".
