Britain has suspended the sharing of intelligence with the US on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean amid concerns information supplied may be used to engage in lethal military strikes by American forces.
Such a decision – a rare rupture between the normally close military allies – would indicate that the UK does not believe the Trump administration’s controversial practice of sinking boats allegedly used by drug traffickers is legal.
The UK, which retains oversight on several island territories in the Caribbean, has long shared intelligence with the US about the movements of suspect vessels travelling from Latin America, so they can be seized by the US Coast Guard.
But, CNN, which first reported the story, said that British intelligence-sharing relating to possible drug-related shipping had been paused shortly after the US began a campaign of lethal strikes in September.
Responding to the CNN report, a UK government spokesperson said: “It is our longstanding policy to not comment on intelligence matters.”
An estimated 76 people have been killed by the US in 19 attacks on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific that were allegedly involved in narco-trafficking. The Trump administration claims drug smugglers can be killed legally because they are combatants in an “armed conflict” with the US.
0:56 Trump confirms attack on alleged 'drug-carrying submarine' in the Caribbean – video
However, intelligence or other military assistance would not be given to an ally, including the US, if the UK had its own legal concerns about how information supplied might ultimately be used in operations.
Similar questions were raised before the raid by US B-2 bombers on Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment site at Fordow in June, when it was believed the mission was going to be launched from the UK military base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. In the end, the bombers flew from Missouri.
Another sign of strains in the US-UK intelligence relationship under the Trump administration was reported by the New York Times, which said that Kash Patel, the head of the FBI, had personally promised his MI5 counterpart, Ken McCallum, he would protect the job of a London-based US surveillance officer while visiting the UK in May.
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