The siren that warned a ballistic missile launched from Iran might be heading towards RAF Akrotiri sounded just as the defence secretary, John Healey, had sat down in a secure room on the base, preparing for the day’s Cobra meeting with the prime minister and cabinet.
It was the second time the alert had been sounded that day, a sound that has driven many local people to leave the area in fear. When the siren blares, any officer or soldier out in the open air dons body armour and helmets and lies on the ground. Healey simply pressed mute on his video briefing.
