Alistair MacIntrye was appointed Reform defence chief (Image: Daily Express)
Nigel Farage’s new defence spokesman is a battle-hardened veteran who helped Ukraine fight back against Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion. Angus MacIntyre served his country for four decades, from the jungles of Brunei and the Arctic wastes of Norway to the war-torn streets of Mogadishu.
And the Daily Express can reveal that since 2022 he has been at the heart of Britain’s efforts to help Ukraine repel Russia’s illegal invasion. His appointment is a major coup for Reform UK, as Mr Farage seeks to stuff his top team with experts from outside Westminster.
Mr MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, spending 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. During that time he completed tours with both the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment, serving in Northern Ireland, Brunei and arctic Norway.
In 1999 he joined the RAF Regiment, going on to complete tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia.
He spent a year in Mogadishu working for the United Nations, advising the head of Somalia’s National Army, and later a year inside the Pentagon as an embedded officer with the US military.
But it is his work for Ukraine that stands out.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, he was drafted in to coordinate Britain’s support, before moving to Nato’s headquarters in Brussels to back the UK’s top military representative.
His role saw him make regular trips to Kyiv to work with Ukraine’s defence and interior ministries.
He was awarded a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his work in the Ukrainian capital, helping to deliver a major package of British military assistance.
Mr MacIntyre said he was answering the call made by Mr Farage, who said he wanted “people from outside of politics with real-world experience to come and help Reform.”
He accused both main parties of leaving “our armed forces under severe pressure”.
The veteran said: “The cuts during the Brown and Blair years took chunks from the ranks of all three services.
“The Conservatives promised to fix it, but over their 14 years in government, they oversaw a further decline in our military power.”
Mr Farage said: “Having someone of Angus’ stature and calibre speak for us on defence shows how seriously Reform UK takes protecting the interests of Britain’s military.”
He added: “Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined. He is representative of our drive to bring into politics people with high-level and real-world experience – as opposed to career politicians – to run government departments.”
NIGEL FARAGE SCORES MAJOR REFORM UK COUP AS RAF VETERAN WHO HELPED UKRAINE FIGHT PUTIN IS NAMED DEFENCE BOSS!
Nigel Farage has made a major move to strengthen Reform UK’s defence credentials after recruiting a highly experienced former Royal Air Force Wing Commander who played an important role in Britain’s military support for Ukraine.
Angus MacIntyre, a veteran with an extraordinary 40-year military career, has been appointed as Reform UK’s first Shadow Armed Forces Minister.
The announcement represents a significant development for Farage as he attempts to build a team capable of challenging Labour and the Conservatives on national security.
MacIntyre’s military background is particularly notable. He has served in numerous conflict zones, worked alongside international military organisations and helped coordinate Britain’s assistance to Ukraine following Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
For Reform, this appointment sends a clear message: the party wants people with real-world experience helping to shape Britain’s future defence policy.
A 40-Year Military Career
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MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, initially serving in the British Army.
He spent 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with attachments to the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment.
His early service included deployments in Northern Ireland, Arctic Norway and Brunei.
In 1999, he transferred to the RAF Regiment, where his military experience continued to expand.
Over the following years, he served in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia.
He also spent time working with the United Nations and completed a year embedded within the Pentagon as a strategic planner.
Few political appointments come with such an extensive military background.
His Work Helping Ukraine Fight Russia
Perhaps the most significant part of MacIntyre’s recent career involved Britain’s support for Ukraine.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, he became involved in coordinating British assistance.
He subsequently worked at NATO headquarters in Brussels, supporting the UK’s military representative and focusing on cooperation with Ukraine.
His responsibilities included regular visits to Kyiv, where he worked with Ukraine’s defence and interior ministries.
He also helped coordinate a major package of British military assistance.
His contribution was recognised with a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
This experience could prove particularly valuable as Britain considers its future military relationship with Ukraine and NATO.
Farage Welcomes His New Defence Chief
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Farage has welcomed the appointment, arguing that MacIntyre represents exactly the kind of experienced individual he wants to bring into politics.
The Reform leader said:
“Having someone of Angus’ stature and calibre speak for us on defence shows how seriously Reform UK takes protecting the interests of Britain’s military.”
He also argued that MacIntyre brings more experience than the government’s defence team combined.
The appointment is part of Reform’s wider effort to recruit experienced professionals rather than relying exclusively on established Westminster politicians.
MacIntyre Launches Attack on Labour and Conservatives
The new Reform defence spokesman wasted little time criticising Britain’s two traditional governing parties.
He argued that both Labour and the Conservatives had contributed to the decline in Britain’s military capabilities.
He accused previous Labour governments of making damaging reductions to the armed forces and claimed the Conservatives had failed to reverse the decline during their 14 years in office.
His message was that Britain needs a fundamental change in how it approaches defence.
He said that neither of the established parties could be trusted to rebuild the country’s military strength.
Reform now wants to make defence spending, military recruitment and veterans’ welfare central parts of its political programme.
A Major Promise to Britain’s Veterans
MacIntyre has also made a controversial promise concerning former military personnel who face historical prosecutions.
He has pledged that a Reform government would introduce legislation within its first 100 days to end what he considers unjust prosecutions of veterans for historical actions during authorised military operations.
His proposals include restrictions on future prosecutions and a proposed ten-year time limit for proceedings.
However, the proposals have raised important questions about accountability, victims’ rights and the protection of veterans.
Any new legislation would need to balance the interests of former service personnel with the legal rights of those affected by historical military operations.
Labour Responds to Reform’s Appointment
The announcement has also prompted criticism from Labour.
Defence minister Luke Pollard argued that Reform had treated national security as an afterthought.
Labour questioned why the party had taken so long to appoint a dedicated defence spokesman.
The Conservatives also pointed out that MacIntyre is not an elected MP and therefore cannot directly question ministers in parliamentary debates.
Nevertheless, his military experience gives Reform a prominent new voice on defence matters.
Reform Wants Britain to Spend More on Defence
Reform has pledged to increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035.
The party argues that Britain’s armed forces have been weakened by years of insufficient investment.
Its priorities include rebuilding military capabilities, improving equipment and providing better support for serving personnel and veterans.
The government has its own defence investment commitments, meaning the debate over funding and military readiness is likely to intensify.
MacIntyre’s appointment could help Reform develop more detailed policies in these areas.
What This Means for Nigel Farage
The appointment is about more than bringing another senior figure into Reform UK.
It is an attempt to answer questions about whether Farage’s party has the experience and expertise required to govern.
Defence is one of the most important responsibilities of any British government.
Voters will expect detailed answers about NATO, Ukraine, military spending, recruitment and Britain’s ability to respond to international threats.
MacIntyre brings decades of experience to that debate.
However, Reform will still need to demonstrate that it can turn military experience into realistic, affordable and effective government policy.
A New Chapter for Reform UK
Nigel Farage has made clear that he wants Reform to become a serious contender for government.
Recruiting a former RAF Wing Commander with extensive international military experience is an important step towards that ambition.
MacIntyre’s appointment also places Ukraine, military readiness and veterans’ welfare firmly back in the political spotlight.
Whether Reform can convince voters that it has the right answers remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Farage wants Britain’s defence debate to become a major battleground, and he has recruited a highly experienced military figure to help lead it.
THE BIG QUESTIONS:
- Is Angus MacIntyre a major asset for Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
- Can Reform rebuild Britain’s armed forces after years of military cuts?
- Should defence spending rise to 3.5 per cent of GDP?
- Should veterans receive stronger legal protections?
- Can Farage convince voters that Reform is ready to govern Britain?
Britain’s national security is too important to become just another political slogan. The real test will be whether Reform can turn its promises into a credible plan for the country’s armed forces.