PM to let Brit ships use guns on hijack mob
BRIT ships yesterday got the green light from David Cameron to SHOOT pirates.
The PM declared it was time to fight back against Somali hijackers holding vessels to ransom — announcing ships sailing under our flag will for the first time be allowed to hire armed guards.
Mr Cameron said: "The extent of the hijack and ransom of ships around the Horn of Africa is a complete stain on our world.
"The fact a bunch of pirates in Somalia are managing to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is a complete insult." The PM said he was determined to take a lead in tackling the burgeoning peril — which now costs the world £10billion a year in lost trade.
Around 200 commercial ships sail under the Brit flag — and it has been illegal for them to have gun crews.
New licences will let them do so in pirate hotspots.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening confirmed: "Officials are acting quickly to facilitate the change in policy and are working closely with the shipping industry and partners in the region to achieve this."
The move comes just weeks after Brit commandos freed 23 hostages from a ship boarded by Somali pirates off the east coast of Africa.
Last year kidnapped Brit tourists Paul and Rachel Chandler spent months in captivity before being freed. Mr Cameron held talks on ways to combat the menace when he met African leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Australia.
Other measures being taken include Treasury support for Kenya's battle to seize pirates' assets. Countries such as Mauritius and the Seychelles — desperate to end the high seas curse — could also get help to put pirates in the dock and jail them.
k.schofield@the-sun.co.uk
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