Gavin Williamson threatens to block EU access to British facilities for 'rival' satellite projects after Brexit

'All the capabilities for Galileo don't sit in France, don't sit in Germany and various other countries; they sit in Britain,' defence secretary says

Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, has threatened to block the EU from using British facilities for "rival" satellite projects if the UK is shut out of the bloc's Galileo enterprise.

It comes after it was revealed in summer that Britain had set aside £92m for an alternative and independent satellite project as negotiations continue in Brussels over the UK's future participation in the EU's Galileo programme.

Britain's defence scientists have played a vital role in the development of Galileo and Mr Williamson has previously described the Commission's approach as "deeply disappointing" after it appeared Britain could be locked out of the project.

But speaking at a fringe event during the Conservative Party conference, Mr Williamson appeared to go further than his previous remarks in comments reported by The Times.

"All the capabilities for Galileo don't sit in France, don't sit in Germany and various other countries; they sit in Britain," he told party delegates.

"The only country that can make something like this work is Britain and the question they [the EU] have to ask is, can they do it without us? I would say 'no'. Can we do it without them? I would say the answer is 'yes'."

The newspaper also added that Mr Williamson was asked during the event why the government would allow EU base assets on British territories if the UK were to be locked out of the Galileo project after exiting the bloc.

He replied: "Let's be clear: as it develops, they're not going to be able to use our facilities to do what I would call a rival project. We can make our project work. I don't believe they can make their project work.

"I'm very happy to sit down with them and discuss how we can make a project work together, but as equals, not as a taker of rules."

(PA (PA)

In August, Ms May warned EU leaders that the UK's move to set aside £92m to launch a major study and design an independent satellite system was not an "idle threat".

She said the UK did want to remain involved in the EU’s Galileo satellite programme but would not accept being “shut out from security discussions and contracts” as the EU is proposing.

She went on: “So unless we receive assurance that we can collaborate on a close basis in the future – like the close security partners we aspire to be – we are clear that we will withdraw UK support for Galileo and pursue our own sovereign satellite system.

“And this is not an idle threat to achieve our negotiating objectives.”