ANTI-WAR protesters have gathered outside RAF Fairford to call on PM Andy Burnham to do the “right thing” and withdraw the use of British military bases from the US war with Iran.

Demonstrators from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Fairford Action held signs and chanted outside the Gloucestershire military base on Saturday.

They said that their action follows an attack on Iran by a US B-1 bomber stationed at RAF Fairford earlier this week, which led to Iran’s Foreign Ministry branding Britain as an “accomplice” in the US war.

The activists urged Mr Burham to condemn US President Donald Trump for restarting the conflict two weeks ago, describing it as a thinly veiled bid to drag Nato into the war.

CND general secretary Sophie Bolt said that the new PM “needs to end Trump’s use of Fairford and Diego Garcia now. 

“This is dragging Britain directly into Trump’s illegal war on Iran.

“Public opposition to the use of British bases to commit war crimes overseas is growing.

“Diplomatic pathways to achieve a peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear programme have been shown to work. Trump’s bombardment is only sabotaging this progress.”

The Burnham administration has maintained his predecessor’s claims that it has only allowed Trump to launch “defensive” operations from British bases hosting US personnel and aircraft.

“The government’s ongoing attempt to hide behind spurious arguments that Fairford is being used for ‘defensive’ operations cannot be justified,” she added.

“Actively assisting a country breaching international law is indefensible. Burnham needs to do the right thing. That means using diplomacy to end this devastating war and end its complicity in US war crimes.”

On Friday, new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reportedly had a “very warm conversation” with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth.

A source close to the minister said that the pair brainstormed ideas for an international conference which allies of Britain and US would attend.

Mr Streeting’s call with Mr Hegseth follows a meeting between Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Washington’s secretary of state Marco Rubio.

Mr Hegseth lambasted European leaders last month for denying the US unfettered use of bases.

“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” he said.

Today Anna Kharbanda, communications manager at the Peace Pledge Union, told the Morning Star: “We stand with those protesting at RAF Fairford. The government calls this defensive. 

“Providing the bases for strikes on Iran is not defensive — it’s participation. 

“War is a crime against humanity, and we renounce it, along with any support for it dressed up in careful language. Diplomatic pathways to a peaceful resolution have been shown to work, the US bombardment only sabotages that progress. 

“Britain should be withdrawing the use of its bases, not helping fight this war from them.”

A Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman added: “If Burnham wants to avoid the same fate as his predecessor he should stop bowing down before the US.

“Denying Iran-bound American bombers access to British military bases, a measure that the majority of the public supports, is the obvious — and urgent — place to start.

“Continuing to aid and abet war crimes while cutting public spending in every other area to pay for [Chancellor John] Healey’s plans will land this government in the same place as Starmer’s.”

A government spokesperson said: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.

“The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same — we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.”