Royal Navy: "Proud" defence secretary praises Portsmouth sailors aboard HMS Diamond who fought Houthi rebels

John Healey MP hailed the work of the crew aboard HMS Diamond during a visit to HMNB Portsmouth today (September 5). The Type 45 destroyer spent six months protecting merchant ships from attacks made by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Patrols were made across the Gulf of Aden and other vital shipping lanes - where 11 per cent of global trade passes through. HMS Diamond had to use its sea viper missile system while on deployment and shot down several drones and missiles that barrage them and merchant vessels.

The Labour MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough told The News: “The special opportunity and privilege for me about being here on HMS Diamond is not just to be able to speak to the First Sea Lord, but to navy personnel at all levels. In the end, it’s the combination of the different roles that those people played on the deployment in the Red Sea that lead to the historic and heroic actions they lead defending international shipping and stopping very serious Houthi attacks.”

Sailors waited in the rain on the deck of HMS Diamond to welcome the politician aboard, as well as other naval dignitaries. He visited the operations room, bridge, ward room and other parts of the destroyer while speaking to personnel of different ranks. “If you stay at your desk in Whitehall, you don't get to hear about the problem the engineers had because the sea temperature was so high that it affected the cooling systems for every piece of kit,” he added. “You don’t get to hear about when a ballistic missile was on its way the chefs broke off making trifle for the evening dinner so they could put anti-fire kit on and close everything down.

“It’s the recognition that behind those extraordinary actions that all of us read about and heard about, there is the combination of many roles on this ship coming together so successfully and effectively.” HMS Diamond returned to Portsmouth in July. She will now undergo a period of maintenance following her Middle East excursion. Mr Healey said he was honoured to hear stories from personnel who serve the country.

“It’s hard not to spend time with the ship’s company and not feel proud,” Mr Healey said. “It’s hard for all of us not to be proud of the Royal Navy and the role that it plays in defending this country. Residents will have a special place of pride in their heart for what they do. In the end, the armed forces are the people who serve and put the uniform on. As a new government, one of the commitments is to renew the contract that the country has with those people who serve, and most importantly the families that support them in doing so. The families pay the price for their loved-ones serving to defend us all.”