Ministry of Defence Stafford is the headquarters for 1st Signal Brigade, which transmits high-level communications to Britain’s armed forces. Photo: Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence Stafford is the headquarters for 1st Signal Brigade, which transmits high-level communications to Britain’s armed forces. Photo: Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence Stafford is the headquarters for 1st Signal Brigade, which transmits high-level communications to Britain’s armed forces. Photo: Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence Stafford is the headquarters for 1st Signal Brigade, which transmits high-level communications to Britain’s armed forces. Photo: Ministry of Defence

Military base where on-the-run Daniel Khalife worked is at heart of UK communications


Thomas Harding
  • English
  • Arabic

At the heart of the Ministry of Defence Stafford base in central England is some of the most UK's sensitive military communications covering global operations.

It is the headquarters for 1st Signal Brigade which transmits high-level communications to Britain’s armed forces deployed around the world.

Daniel Khalife, 21, who was based at MoD Stafford, is charged with eliciting information from the Defence Joint Personnel Administration System which was “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

The former soldier, who is on the run having escaped HMP Wandsworth in south London on Wednesday, is also facing charges that he passed information to Iran, as well as planting fake bombs.

He denied the charges at the Old Bailey in central London in July.

Mr Khalife is due to face trial in November.

If Iran or any other enemy of the UK had the opportunity to exploit a weakness in the base's security it would potentially have access to secret military communications with the ability to know who is doing what and where.

With access to email communications, possibly including encrypted passwords, Iran could gather enough information to launch a crippling cyberattack on the UK’s military.

1st Signal Brigade provides communications for every overseas deployment at a strategic level for British forces.

Ministry of Defence Stafford in central England is at the heart of some of the most UK's most sensitive military communications. Photo: Google
Ministry of Defence Stafford in central England is at the heart of some of the most UK's most sensitive military communications. Photo: Google

This includes the multinational Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, whose headquarters are in Gloucestershire, western England, as well as Permanent Joint Headquarters in London that is the hub of all UK military operations.

Every senior level commander on any deployed operation overseas will rely on MoD Stafford for their communications – from warships to ground troops and Royal Air Force bases.

MoD Stafford will also be dealing in sensitive information involving America and other close allies.

“This is all potentially a major breach of security across several high-profile sensitive organisations,” said military analyst Tim Ripley. “We don't actually know what has been done or accessed at MoD Stafford but it is clear that the risk assessment is now off the roof.

“If Iran could penetrate their enemy’s secret communications, it would mean that they have an inside track on British news and communications and gives them a decisive advantage.”

Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday. AFP
Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday. AFP

If Iran had access to confidential military personnel files this would also give them key information to be used as leverage in blackmail or compromise, to create fake identifications or possibly for kidnap.

Tehran would also be able to gather profiles with email address to launch cyberattacks or to intercept, and potentially rewrite, confidential messages

While the Staffordshire base provides communications for regular military units, the UK’s special forces have their own signals unit for teams on operations.

MoD Stafford is also the base for the Defence Electronics and Components Agency, which mainly repairs and upgrades military radios.

Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Race card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m

9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

The National selections

6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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Updated: September 08, 2023, 12:14 PM`