Mirror.uk :
Britain won’t play a role in any military strike on North Korea , it has been claimed. Kim Jong-Un’s regime has ramped up threats to unleash missiles on US territory in Guam. It followed Donald Trump’s warning the rogue state faces “fire and fury” if it fails to curb its nuclear testing.
It is feared the US is moving towards a military solution to deal with North Korea’s increasing threat.
But reports last night suggest Britain will only support diplomatic resolutions through the UN.
A senior government source told The Sun: “The Americans are more than capable of doing what they might want, or have to do, in the region without our help.” However, the Mirror understands Britain could play some role in the unfolding crisis. The RAF has been asked to join an international spy operation to pinpoint nuclear sites and artillery batteries in North Korea. US military chiefs hope the surveillance mission would help them prepare for a massive strike or for war. If the Commons backs the request, at least one of Britain’s three Rivet Joint spy planes could fly to a base in Japan within a fortnight.
A source said: “Although a conflict between North Korea and America and their allies is unthinkable, everything that can be done is being done to prepare for that if it happens.
“Western war planners are keen to minimise the death toll and that means a massive stepping-up of intelligence gathering against North Korea.” The source added: ” NATO needs to stand behind the US as this situation could impact everyone.” The £800million spy plane would pry on communications chatter in North Korea.
The RAF crew would be joined by US personnel who speak the language.
Britain has also put intelligence agencies on high alert. MI6 and the listening station GCHQ are gathering information to learn how other nations are preparing to take on tyrant Kim.
An intelligence source told the Mirror: “This is all about making sure every step is taken to avoid something going wrong as efforts are made to solve this crisis through diplomacy. “They are monitoring how Japan and China and other surrounding countries are reacting to each development.”
