The HMS Dragon will take more than a week to reach Cyprus

The HMS Dragon is being loaded with ammunition before leaving (Picture: PA)

The warship being readied to protect the British base in Cyprus is not set to sail until next week as conflict spirals in the Middle East.

HMS Dragon is being loaded with ammunition in Portsmouth before departing for the Mediterranean after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone in the early hours of Monday.

Britain has faced questions about its preparedness to protect its overseas bases after the drone attack...