Prime Minister: Armed Forces have 'filled our hearts with pride'

The Prime Minister has thanked the UK Armed Forces for showing "yet again, in 2021, that you are equal to any trial or crisis" in his Christmas message.

Boris Johnson wished personnel a happy Christmas, adding that "everyone in our country knows that we can only celebrate Christmas in freedom and safety because you are protecting us".

In his festive recording, he highlighted the UK's evacuation of Afghanistan, the Carrier Strike Group 21 (CGS21) deployment and the military's role in the battle against the coronavirus.

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"As I speak, our men and women in uniform are central to our huge national effort to get boosted now and protect everyone against the Omicron variant," he said.

"There will be plenty of challenges in the year ahead, and the world will not stop being a dangerous place, but you have shown, yet again, in 2021, that you are equal to any trial or crisis and, most magnificently and most importantly of all, you have filled our hearts with pride.

"So thank you and Merry Christmas," he added.