ATTACKS on a civilian target were carried out using weapon parts made in Brighton.
That is according to a United Nations Panel of Experts authorised by the UN Security Council.
Inspectors took photographs of fragments of a bomb used in a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on a water pump factory in Yemen.
The UN found the attack “violated international humanitarian law”.
Written on the side of a fragment are the words “EDO MBM” – the name of the arms manufacturer in Brighton.
The fragment also bears the bomb part’s “cage number” – which is registered to its factory at Home Farm Business Park, Moulsecoomb.
(Above) Bomb fragment found at the site
Brighton Pavilion Green MP Caroline Lucas said the findings rang “very loud alarm bells”.
The revelation comes after a Court of Appeal ruling which found the Government had unlawfully licensed the export of weapons – including bombs and components – to Saudi Arabia.
Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, a member of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, said: “Brighton has a reputation as a peace-loving city, we must not be turning a blind eye to these weapons being made here in our back yard.”
EDO MBM factory in Brighton
The 2018 report found the company made part of the guidance system on the “Paveway IV” bomb, which helps it find its target once it has been released.
There is no suggestion that the firm has broken any laws or regulations.
The Saudi-led coalition launched an airstrike on a water pump factory in the Alsonidar complex on September 13, 2016.
It attacked the same factory again on September 22.
It claims it believed it to be a military target.
But the UN report states there is no evidence for this and, as such, concluded it was a violation of international humanitarian law.
Aftermath of the attack on water pump factory CREDIT: Mohammed/AP/REX/Shutterstock
There were no reported civilian casualties but the devastation caused by the attack is pictured above.
Long-time campaigners against the arms factory say the findings are vindication after years of protests against it.
Brighton Against the Arms Trade Group said: “I think this is by far the most undeniable proof that what we’ve been saying for 15 years is correct.
“That is that this factory, based in Brighton, is at the heart of the supply of weapons used by different regimes to commit violations of international humanitarian law
“I’ve never heard of Paveway IV bombs being made bespoke.
“They’re being made on batch, they’re not handmade works of art, they’re part of a production chain.”
The group is renewing calls for Brighton and Hove City Council to reverse its recent decision to allow a temporary extension of the factory.
It also demands the council refuses any further planning permission and issues a statement denouncing the company.
A council spokeswoman replied: “The application has already been determined in accordance with planning rules and policy.
“The application was carefully considered against this.
“We are unable to reverse a planning decision.”
The UN report states the Saudi-led coalition is responsible for attacks on civilian targets including homes, a market and a hotel.
Dr Anna Stavrianakis, senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Sussex, said: “This matters because a local company is manufacturing and selling components that end up being used in violations of international law.
“UK policy is not to licence arms sales where there is a clear risk they might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
“There have been frequent allegations of violations of international humanitarian law for the past four years since the Saudi-led coalition started its military intervention in Yemen.
“Any reasonable risk assessment about the export of bombs should have concluded that the risk was indeed clear.
“Brighton-made components have been used in airstrikes in Yemen under an arms export policy that has now been found to be unlawful.”
EDO MBM did not respond to a number of requests for comment over a period of two days.
Caroline Lucas is now campaigning for a “full-scale inquiry” into the UK arms trade.
She said: “As the courts have now ruled, the UK has dramatically failed in its responsibility to prevent UK manufactured arms from being used by Saudi Arabia to attack and kill civilians in Yemen.
“The UN’s evidence that weapon parts manufactured by a Brighton based company were used in Yemen should have rung very loud alarms bells at the Department for International Trade.
“Instead it has continued to license equipment such as that from EDO MBM.
“I have long demanded an end to all arms sales to authoritarian regimes and am now campaigning for a full-scale inquiry into the broken arms trade system.
“No company from Brighton or anywhere else should be granted a licence to sell arms if there’s a risk they will be used in violation of international law.”
Hove Labour MP Peter Kyle said: “Britain has some of the highest standards in the sale of arms.
“But evidence abounds that our own laws are being broken in Yemen and it is the source of much suffering there, and is damaging Britain’s reputation and credibility.”
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