UK defends ‘swift’ response to Irma after criticism

Downing Street has defended its response to Hurricane Irma amid criticism it did not do enough to prepare for the disaster.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister called the UK’s response “swift”, after it was suggested it had lagged behind France and the Netherlands in taking care of its territories.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Government “should have acted much faster” given the “wellknown” news about the storm.

British tourists stranded in the affected regions have also hit out at the “disgusting” way they have been treated by tour operators.

Downing Street’s comments came as Theresa May held another meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee yesterday to coordinate relief efforts for victims.

The spokeswoman told a Westminster briefing: “We believe our response was swift. We had a ship prepositioned. We are getting lifesaving aid now to those who need it.”

She said the Government was waiting for “a full picture of intelligence to come through”, adding: “Three flights departed this morning carrying marines and engineers as part of the MoD task force.

“Tomorrow, another C17 will leave carrying two Puma helicopters. And the RFA Mounts Bay ship is due to arrive in the British Virgin Islands ... bringing aid and helicopters to help deliver supplies.”

Downing Street said that the Department for International Development’s disaster response centre was sending out supplies of aid to be loaded on to HMS Ocean, which has been diverted from the Mediterranean to head for the Caribbean.

Labour MP Virendra Sharma said Hurricane Irma was not adequately prepared for, despite indications that it would wreak devastation.

Mr Sharma, who sits on the International Development Committee, welcomed the decision to send further resources, but said: “If we had that planned well in advance, then when it actually happened we could have immediately taken steps, like France.”

But international development secretary Priti Patel said Britain has a naval and military presence in the area, adding: “I do think it’s not right to basically say that we’ve been caught out.”

She told Adam Boulton on Sky News: “We’ve had the vessel out there, Adam, and that vessel has been equipped with the right people and the right skills and the right equipment and the reality is of course, it’s been a difficult environment to get into because of the scale of the hurricane and the extent to which the devastation has hit the countries as well.

“We are helping on the ground now and in terms of preparedness, we have the right people on the ground, in country and actually I think this is about making sure that we channel our resources.”

Tourists stranded in affected regions have also complained about a lack of information and assistance from holiday companies.

Paul Phipps, 39, from Essex, who is on his honeymoon in the Bahamas, said he felt “let down” after being unable to get an earlier flight home to avoid the hurricane.

Mr Phipps, who is due to fly back on Monday, said: “We are still here after being let down by Sandals UK and British Airways. Both kept advising only the other could assist with earlier flights home.

“There were seats available on a BA flight last night when searching the internet but I was advised by Sandals that BA wouldn’t assist as our flight on Monday night hasn’t been cancelled.

“It’s disgusting how Brits in the Bahamas have been treated.”

Thomas Cook said it is often safer for customers to stay in their hotels during extreme weather.

Theresa May held another meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee yesterday to coordinate relief efforts for victims.