Columnist Andrew Neil has slammed Lib Dem leader Ed Davey for the extraordinary suggestion that "tax exiles" now sheltering and fleeing from Iran's Dubai attacks pay for the "protection" of Britain's Armed Forces.
In particular, Davey's ire was directed at "Isabel Oakeshott and old washed-up footballers" who he accused of mocking "ordinary people" who pay their UK taxes to protect Britons living in the Middle East now under threat from the escalating war against Iran.
In response, Neil posted a scathing assessment from his personal X account.
He said: "This is populist stuff and nonsense. If Dubai tax exiles return to reside in the UK then they will automatically start paying tax again.
"If they ask for British protection in Dubai then by all means charge them.
"But what exactly does your protection amount to? We have no troops, no navy, basically no military resources in the Gulf or in Dubai, bar a few fighter jets in Qatar (providing no protection to Dubai).
"It is the UAE that is protecting them. Quite well, so far, despite the scale of the unprovoked Iranian attacks."
Political commentator Oakeshott also hit back at Davey from her X account.
She said: "JUST to be clear, British citizens who live in Dubai are not queuing up to be 'evacuated' at taxpayers' expense. They're chill. Tourists see it differently. Sorry to blow the lazy lefty narrative."
Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand has spoken out about living through missile attacks near his Dubai home, describing his recording studio as his "bunker" as the family sheltered from Iranian strikes.
Ferdinand, who relocated to Dubai with wife Kate and their younger children, said the experience had been unsettling but that the family had found ways to stay together during the lockdown.
"Been a different week for me, not going to lie," he said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. "Firstly, I'm in great condition this morning as the whole family did a workout. A bit like in Covid, the whole family is doing things we wouldn't usually be doing together.
"I've got to be honest guys, it's been a bit of a scary situation but at the same time weirdly enough I've felt very secure and looked after. My studio has become my bunker."
Former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand took to social media to update worried followers on the family's situation, describing the previous night as "very scary."
She wrote: "Thank you for all of your messages and sorry for the silence, I haven't wanted to worry you all I just haven't been able to find the words. We are safe.
"The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary. Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn't believe we all got a sleepover in the basement.
"Thank you for all of your prayers, this whole experience is very eye-opening and I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone."
Rio's two elder children Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, remained in the UK, where both are pursuing football careers.
