Ex-Royal Navy warship commander slams Starmer as HMS Dragon farce sees Macron humiliate UK

France’s response to the war in the Middle East has shown up "embarrassing" Britain, a former commander has said. Emmanuel Macron has ordered about a dozen French warships, including an aircraft carrier, to waters around the region as part of defensive support to allies under threat from Iranian retaliatory attacks.

The Royal Navy, meanwhile, still has not sent a single warship to the region and its last remaining vessel in the Gulf returned to Portsmouth on Monday after making the journey back home on a heavy lift vessel. Tom Sharpe, who commanded four warships during a 27-year career in the Navy, questioned Britain’s preparedness and agreed France’s rapid reaction had exposed Sir Keir Starmer who has been accused of being “weak” and “too slow”. Speaking to the Express, Mr Sharpe said: “There’s just no way around that [France has showed up the UK].”

Mr Macron has ordered an “unprecedented” naval deployment to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and possibly the Strait of Hormuz.

Eight frigates — more than the entire amount available to the Royal Navy — and two amphibious helicopter carriers are heading to the waters.

The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has already arrived in the Eastern Med to help protect Cyprus after drones and missiles were fired towards the island as the conflict broke out.

Mr Macron has signalled the armada could be used to escort tankers and civilian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as ​possible after the most intense phase of the conflict has ended”.

The narrow waterway, where around 20% of global oil and gas passes through, has been effectively closed amid threats from Iran, prompting oil prices to soar.

The UK had been considering Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to the region, but Downing Street has seemingly ruled this out.

Mr Sharpe said: “The reason we built two carriers was to give us options and we can’t use those options because we’re not spending the money required to keep both of them running.

“We’ve been painted into a corner where we’re having to make these really tough chances, and France, for various reasons, is not.

“It’s pretty grim to watch.”

It’s a week since the Government confirmed HMS Dragon would be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to help boost security around RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus.

It came two days after a hangar at the base was struck by a drone, believed to have been fired from Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Type 45 destroyer is believed to be undergoing final preparations before setting sail, but is unlikely to arrive in the region this week.

Mr Sharpe said it is “clear” not one of the Navy’s six Daring-class ships were held at one of the higher readiness levels.

“That I think is embarrassing, that’s just poor fleet management,” he said.

“But it is indicative of this crushing decline that we’re suffering from.”

Cyprus, as well as reportedly allies in the Middle East, have criticised the UK’s response to the conflict.

Mr Macron insisted Cyprus “can count on France” as he shared a video of his visit to the Charles de Gaulle in the Eastern Med.

“Your presence demonstrates the power of France,” he said, in stark contrast to the UK.

Britain has sent additional military assets to both Cyprus and Qatar, including fighter jets, helicopters and air defence systems.

Donald Trump has threatened “death, fire and fury” against Iran unless vessels were allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

The PM’s spokesman has said the UK is working with allies “on a range of options” to support commercial shipping through the chokepoint.