UK closer to large-scale conflict than in many years, intelligence official says

British defence intelligence officials say the UK is closer to a large-scale conflict than at any recent point, as the Middle East crisis intensifies while Russia pursues an expansionist agenda and China develops advanced weapons. One senior official said the secretive 4,500-strong unit was the busiest it had been in at least a decade, and said the fast turnover of ministers made it harder to ensure key politicians were making informed decisions. The official was asked if they agreed with Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, who said in a speech last month that the UK and the west was "moving…