MBDA’s Alabama factory makes components for Boeing’s GBU-39 bombs used to kill civilians in Gaza. Its profits flow through Stevenage to Paris — and it is one of the British government’s favourite firms, reveals SOLOMON HUGHES

“IN THE beginning the biggest problem was the cold because there weren’t enough clothes or enough blankets,” Fabian Heinz says describing the conditions on board an NGO ship that Europe refused to give port for 10 days after it rescued 64 migrants off the Libyan coast on April 3.
“We also didn’t know what they could eat. We tried serving them porridge but some of them had to puke if they ate it. Some didn’t eat at all. We had to learn how to treat them and how to deal with the limited amount of things on board.
“Later on the biggest problem was psychological. They were frustrated and confused and kept asking: ‘What are we waiting for?’, ‘Are we going back to Tripoli?’, ‘Will Europe let us in?’”

Fan group The 1873 issues scathing response to owners’ statement saying the club will not close

Israeli media awash with leaks and rumours of Netanyahu’s plans to seize Gaza. Meanwhile, the unrelenting siege of Gaza continues unabated

Mr Smalls and 13 other Freedom Flotilla Coalition activists who tried to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza aboard the Handala ship remain in detention and on hunger strike