HMS Belfast to be reactivated for patrol work

HMS Belfast, a Second World War cruiser turned museum ship, is to be reactivated and renamed by the end of this month in order to patrol the English Channel.

The vessel’s current name has been taken by a new frigate under construction on the Clyde so it’s understood that the Prime Minister is renaming the vessel HMS Boris Johnson. This comes after claims that the Royal Navy, is already over-stretched and under-resourced.

HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship. Since her launch over 80 years ago, she fired some of the first shots at the D-Day landings, served in the Arctic Convoys, and in the Korean War.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS | HMS Belfast, a Second World War cruiser turned museum ship, is to be reactivated this month and renamed after the current Prime Minister. The vessel will patrol the English Channel as part of efforts to increase Britain's global image. pic.twitter.com/BKX9wU2FAE

— George Allison (@geoallison) April 1, 2022

It is understood that the guns on the vessel are to be replaced with fishing nets in order to catch migrant boats.

A recent Defence Committee Inquiry considered the role of the Armed Forces in countering Channel crossings by migrants (Operation Isotrope), and the wider implications for Defence, including what assets will be used, who will pay for them, how success will be measured and what the chain of command and reporting arrangements will be.

Vice-Chair of the Defence Committee, John Spellar MP, said:

“The decision to call in the Armed Forces to address migrant crossings has far-reaching implications across Government, yet fundamental questions remain over Operation Isostrope. The Services cannot become a fourth blue light service. As we’ve made clear in recent reports, the Ministry of Defence, and especially the Royal Navy, is already over-stretched and under-resourced. An additional responsibility, particularly one as substantial as intercepting Channel migrant crossings, places huge pressure on a department with a demanding-enough brief.”

Local Wetherspoons Bar Stool Filler, Ben Igot, told us:

“It’s about time and it’s great they’ve announced this news today of all days.”

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