The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has lost or had items stolen from its facilities over the past two years, including firearms, phones, laptops, computers, and USB sticks, according to the Liberal Democrats. The UK political party uncovered figures which showed that a pistol, rifle, and World War One machine gun were among the firearms lost or stolen during the period. Over 700 electronic devices also went missing. Helen Maguire, the party’s defence spokesperson, expressed concern, particularly given current global security tensions. The UK government insisted it had “robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts”.
The figures relate to the year 2023 under the previous Conservative government. The UK Lib Dems received them in response to a written parliamentary question. June 2023 saw the loss of a World War Two Luger Pistol and a Sten submachine gun. An SA80 rifle was also lost in July 2023, while a Glock 19 Pistol was stolen in December 2023. A German machine gun was stolen in August that year, but subsequently found. Figures for 2024 are not yet available.
The number of devices that went missing included 101 phones in 2023, rising to 159 in 2024. In addition, 20 USB sticks were lost in 2023, increasing to 125 in 2024. The number of lost or stolen laptops dropped from 176 in 2023 to 138 in 2024. Computer losses or thefts remained at 25 for both years. The UK government maintained that proportionate security controls had been put in place to protect electronic devices bearing sensitive information.
Maguire has called for an inquiry to examine the losses. She said that the government was “more butterfingered than Goldfinger when it comes to national security”, adding that sensitive information could be improperly accessed, public money wasted, and the loss or theft of weaponry produced serious warning signs about security. An MoD representative noted that the department takes the security of such assets very seriously and, if any are suspected of being lost or stolen through criminal activity, the department would “investigate, prosecute and recover the items”
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