Head of military tweets thanks to personnel covering Border Force strikes

The head of the UK Armed Forces has told of "very complimentary feedback" for military personnel covering striking Border Force workers at airports across the country.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Twitter he was "pleased to meet Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel at Gatwick".

"Very complimentary feedback from airport staff and travellers," he said.

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"My thanks to all those on duty over Christmas and New Year."

It comes after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said overall the UK was "not seeing any disruption" to people's travel.

Mr Wallace, speaking during a visit to Manchester Airport, said it is "a good thing" that people can continue to travel thanks to the military's assistance.

"The simple reality is our borders are safe and secure," he said, countering claims that military personnel have been simply waving people through.

The UK's military has received praise for taking the place of striking workers across the UK.

There had been fears there would be chaos at airports and ports when Border Force staff went on strike, but the evidence on the ground has shown a different picture.

A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport said passengers had praised the Army personnel standing in at UK airports, saying their transition was quicker than usual.

Media reports also suggested that passengers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports had applauded the "brilliant" military for doing their job with "record" efficiency as they covered for striking workers.

The military's role in covering the strikes had initially provoked differing opinions, with the head of the UK Armed Forces saying personnel should not be used as the "ultimate backstop" to cover striking public sector workers this Christmas.

Additionally, the head of the British Army told Forces News covering public service strikes means troops are not doing the "day job" and it sees skills "running down".

This prompted a response from Conservative back-bencher Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, who said the job of the military is to "do what they're told by the civilian authorities".