Menwith Hill in 3D: Domes, Data and Drone Strikes

Posted: 17th September 2021

Major Report on Menwith Hill Station near Harrogate UK reveals serious lack of accountability and democratic oversight of the base’s activities

The report, “Menwith Hill in 3D: Domes, Data and Drone Strikes”, updates a previous report published in 2012. Commissioned by the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign and Yorkshire CND and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust the new report is researched and written by experienced researcher Barnaby Pace. It will be formally launched at 3-4.30 pm on Saturday 2 October 2021 at Harrogate Quaker Meeting House, HG1 5PP.

The new report seeks to update information about the base following the Edward Snowden revelations about large scale international data capture. It reveals ways in which electronic surveillance has developed at Menwith Hill. Intelligence gained from the captured data has facilitated the increased use of drone warfare in recent years.

Latest news from Afghanistan highlights the significance of drone warfare in an increasingly unstable area. Use of intelligence captured by the base to target drones means that the base itself and the surrounding area are a potential target for retaliatory strikes.

Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, says of the Report:

“This is an impressive and authoritative report, backed up by detailed references. It covers a wide field of activity at Menwith Hill and is particularly useful in highlighting its role in the move towards remote warfare, especially the proliferation and use of armed drones. These raise many issues of transparency, accountability, and democratic oversight, and challenging the implications of this trend will be made more effective by this valuable study”.

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

There will be an introduction to the Report by the researcher Barnaby Pace and a short film about the report, followed by an opportunity for discussion and comment.
The launch event will be accessible on line, requests for a link should be made to [email protected] before the launch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Martin Schweiger - Tel: 0113 4400736 Mobile 07760311406 [email protected]

Lindis Percy – Tel 01423 884076 Mobile 07949897904 [email protected]