Sudan evacuation: Two Royal Navy ships placed on standby

Two Royal Navy ships are on standby to assist if required with an evacuation of British nationals from wartorn Sudan, it is understood.

The Times reports RFA Cardigan Bay – a Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship – and frigate HMS Lancaster are in the region and being prepared but it could take two to three days for them to arrive at Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

According to other reports, a small British military reconnaissance team arrived in Port Sudan on Monday to assess how British nationals can be evacuated from the country.

• Ben Wallace praises 'dangerous and precarious' military operation to evacuate British diplomats from Sudan 
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Downing Street said on Monday afternoon "all avenues" are being explored over how to rescue at least 2,000 UK citizens, without detailing what further action could be taken.

Britons stranded in Sudan continue to be advised to shelter in place, register their information with the Foreign Office and await further instructions, while people from other European nations have been flown to safety.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman said the Government was "working around the clock" to support those remaining.

He declined to comment on reports that British warships could be heading to Port Sudan to assist with evacuations.

"We will pull every lever possible to help bring about a ceasefire and equally to support British nationals trapped by fighting," the official said.

Armed Forces personnel helped evacuate British embassy staff and their families from Sudan's capital Khartoum on Sunday.

More than 1,200 people contributed to the evacuation which involved personnel from 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described the evacuation mission as "dangerous and precarious".