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Farage appoints RAF wing commander as armed forces spokesman to rebuff claims he is pro-Putin
Reform UK has appointed former RAF wing commander Angus MacIntyre as its armed forces spokesman, seeking to show the party takes defence seriously and counter criticism of Nigel Farage’s past remarks about Vladimir Putin. MacIntyre recently worked at Nato headquarters and spent four years focused on British support for Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
MacIntyre left the RAF Regiment last week after a 40-year military career, with service in several conflicts and deployments. Farage has described Putin as a “rational player” and said he understood the annexation of Crimea; MacIntyre, meanwhile, has supported women qualifying as RAF commandos, a position at odds with Farage’s earlier comments opposing women serving alongside men. Reform says MacIntyre’s experience exceeds the combined 31 years served by Labour MPs.
In short
- Reform names former RAF wing commander Angus MacIntyre as defence spokesman.
- His Nato work included four years focused on support for Ukraine.
- His views on women in the forces differ from Farage’s past remarks.
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The case for
Reform’s appointment of Angus MacIntyre can be seen as evidence that the party is drawing on substantial professional expertise to shape its defence policy. His long RAF career, recent work at Nato and focus on support for Ukraine give him relevant experience, while his views on women serving as commandos suggest he may bring positions that differ from Farage’s.
The case against
Critics may argue that appointing an experienced spokesman does not resolve questions about the party’s own leadership and policies. Farage’s past remarks about Putin and Crimea, alongside his earlier opposition to women serving alongside men, may leave voters uncertain whether MacIntyre’s positions will guide Reform’s approach or whether the appointment chiefly serves to rebut criticism.
Explained simply
Reform UK is a political party led by Nigel Farage. Its views on defence and Britain’s role in supporting Ukraine have drawn attention partly because Farage has made comments about Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Angus MacIntyre is a former senior RAF officer whose career included service in conflicts and work at Nato, the military alliance of the UK and other countries. He also spent four years focused on British support for Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The appointment brings military experience into the party’s public discussion of defence. MacIntyre’s support for women serving as RAF commandos also differs from Farage’s earlier remarks opposing women serving alongside men.