𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

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.”